James “Jim” Tucker of Longmont, CO passed away on New Year’s Eve, 2021, at age 79 in the Longmont ICU from COVID complications. He went peacefully on the biggest party night of the year (so appropriate for Tucker, especially as he was accompanied by Betty White) as his daughters, Lori and Susan, held his hands.
James was born in Cape Girardeau, MO to Lawrence and Signe who had 4 sons, Jim being the eldest. He is survived by his 3 brothers, Gary, John and Bob and their families. The family moved to Denver when Tucker was 7. Tucker had fond memories of growing up in Denver, driving his fast cars and blowing things up with dynamite. In 1976 Tucker married Alice and the two shared a deep and abiding love for 38 years. Tucker also leaves behind his granddaughters, Samantha and Amanda, and his great granddaughter, Emmylou Alice. He was beyond thrilled to become a great grandfather when Emmylou Alice arrived last year.
Tucker worked at Ball Aerospace as a machinist for the majority of his career. Always interested in space, he greatly enjoyed the work he did building parts for satellites, the Hubble telescope and space shuttles while using his engineer brain to make things. He wasn’t an engineer by trade, but definitely in practice, regularly helping actual engineers solve dilemmas. A highlight of his time at Ball included working on the IRAS project that enabled him and his family to live in the Netherlands and California while he worked on the project. While in Europe, Tucker took enormous pleasure being able to drive on the Autobahn. Always a fast driver and with the nickname “Speedball Tucker” it was the perfect opportunity for him to experience no speed limit.
With his entrepreneurial spirit, Tucker opened up a successful machining business working there part time while at Ball and then full time after Ball retirement. When it came to machining, Tucker was one of the best in the business with people from all over contacting him for his expertise and knowledge in making specialty parts. Tuckers reputation as a skilled machinist brought many people to him where he was able to find solutions that eluded others. He was able to assist numerous local businesses with needed parts including Seagate, Redstone and Oscar Blues. Word of his talent made it all the way to Singapore when a company there tasked him to design and produce outgassing vessels for testing parts. He also made parts for vintage airplanes, Harley motorcycles and auto parts that were no longer manufactured. Tucker enjoyed mentoring and teaching those entering the machining profession to help them enter the field.
After selling his machining business, Tucker spent his second retirement tinkering in the garage, working on his hobbies making jewelry, building stills and making moonshine and making parts for and assembling his Cobra. He was also a talented woodworker, making many grandfather and wall clocks and tables throughout his life time.
Tucker loved eating at the Texas Roadhouse which gave him the opportunity to meet many wonderful people who became his friends. He was a very social person, happiest when having conversations. We used to say the Roadhouse was his Cheers because everybody knew his name.
Tucker was known for his generosity and caring heart. He was always supportive to others both emotionally and financially. He was particularly drawn to assisting those facing life’s challenges. Tucker will always be remembered as a loving husband and father, great friend, proud grandpa and great grandpa, as well as, one of a kind and prone to shenanigans.
There will be a Celebration of Life held in his honor at Texas Roadhouse, 2351 Clover Basin Drive on January 14, 2022 from 12 to 2 pm.
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