John Andrew Tucker III

John was born on July 11, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Dorothy and John A. Tucker, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Eugenia (Ewo) Rossignol Tucker, and their seven children, Angel Dowell (Rufus), John (“Tuck”) A. Tucker IV (Julie), Nancy Southerland, Chris Wilkenson, James Clay Tucker (Colleen), Dorothy Lee Tucker, and Jill Saig, their 23 grandchildren, Taylor Wahila (Matt), Casey Guzinski (PJ), Angel Fonger (Max), Katherine Tucker German (Ben), Elizabeth Tucker Cochrane (Niall), John (“Fritz”) Tucker (Anna), Andrew Tucker, Patrick Tucker, James (“Tripp”) Southerland (Veronica), Brooks Southerland (Erin), Shea Hulsberg (Zach), Tucker Southerland, Heidi Osborne (Spencer), Noah Strickland, Holli Strickland, Johnny Tucker, Lacey Tucker, Clay Tucker, Cody Tucker, Cade Tucker, Ivy Saig, Ava Saig and Salem Saig, and their 15 great grandchildren, Ella and Emma Osborne, Abigail, Ruthie, Brennan, and Mary Taylor Wahila, Chip Guzinski, Ellie Cate Fonger, Jack, Julianne, and Charlotte German, Caroline and James Cochrane, and Violet and Heath Hulsberg. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Ann Tucker and Sheram Still.

John was raised in Fort Pierce, Florida, graduating from Fort Pierce High School. He then served in the Army Air Corps during the Korean War from 1951-1953. After discharge from the Army, he used the GI Bill to enroll in the University of Florida, graduating in 1956. He later obtained a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of North Florida. He was employed for a number of years as a District Manager of the Southern Bell Telephone Company, and then at the Florida Publishing Company, which published the two daily Jacksonville newspapers, last serving as its President.

John was involved in a host of civic and charitable activities, including being instrumental in bringing professional golf back to Jacksonville as the first Chairman for the Greater Jacksonville Open, and later in having the PGA Tour Headquarters and The Player’s Championship relocated to Jacksonville, working for several years as the Tournament Director. He also served as a Gator Bowl President and was deeply involved in the start of Junior Achievement and Gateway Community Services in Jacksonville.

The family will host a visitation on Friday, January 6, 2023, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Hardage-Giddens Legacy Lodge at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207. A funeral mass will be held on Monday January 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church, 2403 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207. In lieu of flowers, the Tucker family encourages you to send a donation to Gateway Community Services, 555 Stockton Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204.