Robert "Joe" Tucker

Robert Jackie Tucker of McDonough, Georgia, died peaceably on March 17, 2017, after an extended illness. Mr. Tucker, age 81, was born in Brent, Alabama, on January 13, 1936. He leaves behind a wife of 58 years, Elizabeth Tucker, two daughters, Lisa Smith and Laurie Davis (Reed), three grandchildren, April Griffith (Jeremy), Rachel Rubright (Timothy), and Morgan Davis, and one great grandchild, Piper Rubright. He also leaves behind four loving sisters (Eloise, Annie, Dianna, and Sandra) and one brother (Otis), along with many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, George Howell Tucker and Altha Evelyn Tucker, three brothers, George Tucker, Gerald Tucker, and James Tucker, and one sister, Gladys Kizziah. He leaves behind many, many friends including his U.S. military friends - too many to mention by name. He also leaves behind his beloved Cockatiel, Tweety, who he has had for nearly 25 years. He grew up in Brent, Alabama, on a small farm in a large, loving family. He joined the U.S. Navy in his late teens, and after a brief return to civilian duty, re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy in his 20s. It was around this time that he also met and married his spouse of 58 years. Together they had two daughters who were by his side to the end. He had a long, distinguished career as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, receiving multiple medals including three Good Conduct Medals, two Armed Forces Reserved Medals, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, and National Defense Medal. He truly loved serving his country, including providing support services during wartime. He also served on the U.S.S. Yorktown, which he later enjoyed touring in Charleston with his family. Mr. Tucker retired from the U.S. Navy in 1986, returning to his hometown of Brent, Alabama. In 1994, he and his wife relocated to Georgia to be close to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. He remained close to his Navy buddies until the end. He was a devoted member of the Masonic Lodge, where he has often freely given of his time and money to help with charitable projects. He also served as long-time President and CEO of his subdivision, where his dedication and hard work will be greatly missed. While most remember him as a serious man, his family and friends knew him to also be a cut-up and jokester and often the life of the party. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved planting and working in his yard, to include building ornamental Koi fish ponds. He was a very social person, who never met a stranger and greeted nearly everyone with "Hello Neighbor." He loved dining at nice restaurants with exotic menus, and he often cooked similar meals for his family. He was deeply devoted to his family, and helped to raise all of his loving grandchildren. He also looked forward to the annual family reunions to see his beloved sisters and brothers and their families. Finally, his most treasured memories were those of his annual trips traveling, especially on cruises to other countries, all with his family by his side. He will be deeply missed by many, especially his devoted family. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 20, 2017, at Rocko Funeral Home in Brent, Alabama. He was interred at Pineland Memorial Park Cemetery where his parents, brothers and sister are also in their forever homes. Anyone wishing to honor him with a donation may do so by sending donations of money, time or other resources to his favorite charity, the Masonic Home of Georgia, P.O. Box 4183, Macon, Georgia 31208, in his honor. For those of us close to him, it was an honor to know this man of such high caliber and boundless devotion to his family