Leon spent his entire childhood in Durham, N.C. He was a standout football player and golfer, earning a scholarship to play football at N.C. State University. During the summers after high school, he worked as a lifeguard at North Myrtle Beach and had the opportunity to sit in with touring bands playing bass and saxophone. Prior to finishing college, he entered the U.S. Army in 1950, serving in many different roles both on active duty and as a reservist during the next 25 years. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. In the Army, he was a Ranger, paratrooper, served as an attaché, ran recreational services, took a personnel company to Vietnam, taught at the Army’s IT school and was in charge of IT services at one of the largest bases in the country when he retired as a Major in 1975. He received many accommodations in the Army including the Purple Heart. Upon retiring, he was Senior Military adviser at a military school in Kansas. After returning to N.C., he took a position with an engineering firm (utilizing his engineering degree from N.C. State), Factory Mutual, retiring from there in 1998. Leon was a lifetime sports fan, playing golf many Saturdays, bowling and participating in the N.C. Senior Games for many years with his wife, Joyce. They won many medals along the way.
Leon is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Alma “Peggy” Green Tucker, daughter Sandra Tucker-Franks and granddaughter Erin Franks Smith.
Leon is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, M. Joyce Tucker, twin brothers Richard and Robert Tucker, son Andrew E. Tucker, grandchildren Meredith Tucker and Shawn Franks, great grandchildren Sebastian Franks and Samuel Franks, nephews Chris Tucker and Jordan Tucker and many cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 11:00 am. Please visit Andrew’s page at mcewenfs.com and sign up for notifications.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of McEwen Funeral Service, Charlotte Chapel on Monroe Road.
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