John W. "Tuck" Dennis Jr.

John W. "Tuck" Dennis Jr. was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. to family and friends who knew him best, Tuck will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

He was born June 9, 1927 in Lake, Mississippi, a son of the late John Wesley Dennis and Dorothy Elizabeth Morrison Dennis. His mother passed when Tuck was two, and his family moved to the Pearson community where he was raised with his three siblings, Doris Mildred Daley, Willie Belle Shorter and Robert Lee Dennis. They lived with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morrison, and Tuck spoke fondly of the happy times he had living with them.

Tuck attended Central High School in Jackson and later Pearl High School. He was employed by Colonial Bakery and also worked in the parts department at the Cheverolet dealership in Jackson prior to enlisting in the United States Navy. Tuck served during World War II as an S2C on the aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain. After a short time of service, he was severly injured when he was struck by an airplane attempting to land on the aircraft carrier. He was then taken to United States Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and from there flown to U.S. Navy Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tuck was treated in New Orleans for approximately one year prior to his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

John W. Dennis, Jr. exchanged wedding vows with Alfreda Tyson on her birthday, November 7, 1950 in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Dorothy Jan Dennis Roberts, born on their second anniversary and Alfreda's birthday, November 7, 1952. What a special date this will forever be in the Dennis Family. In September 1971, Jan married Kenneth "Kent" Bruce Roberts. Jan gave birth to Tuck and Alfreda's only grandchild, Kimberly Jill Roberts, on November 20, 1980. Kim was the light of Tuck's, "Papaw" as he was then known, life. As she grew older, they spent many happy times together. Kim married Jason Andrew Scharl in March 2003.

Tuck enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, he worked diligently, did his best and succeeded in his career. At the age of twenty, Tuck became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 605, where he began apprenticeship and soon became a Journeyman Lineman. Tuck was employed by Mississippi Power & Light Company for some time, then began powerline construction where he worked locally as well as all over the Northern and Southern United States. Before retiring, he was employed by Klingler Electric Corp. of Jackson as Superintendent of Powerline Erection. Tuck retired on July 1, 1989. At the time of his death, Tuck had been a member of the I. B. E. W. Local No. 605 for sixty plus years.

Tuck enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were fishing, going to baseball games and working in the yard. He was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Tuck was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he had the chance to do so. Tops on his list were baseball and football.

A true animal lover, he cherished his pets, which included his poodle "Gidget" and tomcat "Maxx", who both lived to be twenty-one years of age. He also had three other cats, one which lived to be fifteen and others to be twenty. Tuck often jokingly said, "These cats get muuuuuuch more attention than I do".

Tuck passed from this life Sunday, October 10, 2010 at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center after months of complications from an automobile accident.

Funeral services were Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in the chapel of Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. He was laid to rest in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.

Simply stated, John W. "Tuck" Dennis, Jr. was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Tuck leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Tuck Dennis.