Obituary for Richard Walton Tucker
After a life well-lived, Richard Walton Tucker of Marion Center passed away peacefully August 21, 2019, on his “Ponderosa” and surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Washington, DC on November 30, 1932, he was a son of the late James Elial Tucker and Edna Fay (Sargent) Tucker.
Richard was the husband of Mary Lucille (Gardner) Tucker, whom he married October 26, 1956. Together, and in a marriage that spanned almost 63 years, they raised four loving daughters. Richard and Mary Lu were as close as any couple could be, enjoying each other's company in so many places -- beside a toasty winter fire, in front of Lonesome Dove and so many good movies, listening to classic Sinatra on the stereo, sharing Mary Lu's homemade pie which she lovingly baked every Sunday, conversing at their daily happy hour on the porch, and watching the rippling waters of Little Mahoning Creek while on their Friday night "date nights." In his final hours, they remained side by side.
Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was a Bronze Star combat veteran who fought in the Korean War. Later, he was employed by the Victor Comptometer Company as a technician. More recently, Richard was known by many at Marion Center High School where he had worked and eventually retired as a high school maintenance worker.
Richard was gifted with many talents, and he was much appreciated by family and friends as a handyman and for his carpentry skills. The list of projects he tackled over the decades is a very long one, and when almost anything needed repair his solutions were creatively unique and lasting. One of his fondest woodworking projects was the construction of the Dulcinea, a 12 foot sailboat that he and grandson Keegan meticulously handcrafted.
He liked nothing more than to be surrounded by family at frequent backyard picnics and birthday parties, and it was always Peepaw who proudly commenced the singing of "Happy Birthday" for many a lucky child. Family will also remember the always humorous and often spicy "Peepaw version" of many other songs. When away from home, he often vacationed to North Carolina's Outer Banks, where he enjoyed full days of family time on the beach and the lure of surf fishing.
In addition to his wife, Mary, Richard is survived by his daughters: Kim Steacey Gardner and husband, Ronald, Marion Center; Kelly Susan Colgan and husband, Barry, Indiana; Cynthia Tucker Betts and husband, Thomas, Home; and Jennifer Fay Tucker and her significant other Wally Hadden, Marion Center. Other surviving family members include his eleven grandchildren: Angela (Chad) Caruso, Courtney (Jeremy) Houser, Elica Shaw, Lauren (Sean) Hreha, Zachary (Melissa) Pruner, Holly Gardner, Keegan (Miranda) Schoch, Fallon (Aaron) Simpson, Madison Betts, Rylie Schoch and Jadyn Schoch, thirteen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Edward Sargent Tucker and his sister, Jaqueline Fay Adkins, brother-in-law Guy Pointer Davis, sisters-in-law Jean Bates and Bonnie Chewning. He was the last surviving member of “The Seven,” a group of neighborhood friends who enlisted in the 82nd Airborne together.
As a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Richard’s memorial service will be officiated by Father Bill Geiger on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Marion Center Cemetery at a later date.
The Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana is assisting the Tucker Family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice of Indiana County, 850 Hospital Road, Suite 3000, or to Christ Episcopal Church, 9th and Philadelphia Street Indiana, PA. The family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful care received from VNA Hospice, notably Angie, Chrissy and Corbin. Your kindness will not be forgotten.
Richard wanted to remind everyone that he will be waiting for his Lulu "to the left of the Gates."
Online Condolences may be offered by visiting rbfh.net.
Born in Washington, DC on November 30, 1932, he was a son of the late James Elial Tucker and Edna Fay (Sargent) Tucker.
Richard was the husband of Mary Lucille (Gardner) Tucker, whom he married October 26, 1956. Together, and in a marriage that spanned almost 63 years, they raised four loving daughters. Richard and Mary Lu were as close as any couple could be, enjoying each other's company in so many places -- beside a toasty winter fire, in front of Lonesome Dove and so many good movies, listening to classic Sinatra on the stereo, sharing Mary Lu's homemade pie which she lovingly baked every Sunday, conversing at their daily happy hour on the porch, and watching the rippling waters of Little Mahoning Creek while on their Friday night "date nights." In his final hours, they remained side by side.
Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was a Bronze Star combat veteran who fought in the Korean War. Later, he was employed by the Victor Comptometer Company as a technician. More recently, Richard was known by many at Marion Center High School where he had worked and eventually retired as a high school maintenance worker.
Richard was gifted with many talents, and he was much appreciated by family and friends as a handyman and for his carpentry skills. The list of projects he tackled over the decades is a very long one, and when almost anything needed repair his solutions were creatively unique and lasting. One of his fondest woodworking projects was the construction of the Dulcinea, a 12 foot sailboat that he and grandson Keegan meticulously handcrafted.
He liked nothing more than to be surrounded by family at frequent backyard picnics and birthday parties, and it was always Peepaw who proudly commenced the singing of "Happy Birthday" for many a lucky child. Family will also remember the always humorous and often spicy "Peepaw version" of many other songs. When away from home, he often vacationed to North Carolina's Outer Banks, where he enjoyed full days of family time on the beach and the lure of surf fishing.
In addition to his wife, Mary, Richard is survived by his daughters: Kim Steacey Gardner and husband, Ronald, Marion Center; Kelly Susan Colgan and husband, Barry, Indiana; Cynthia Tucker Betts and husband, Thomas, Home; and Jennifer Fay Tucker and her significant other Wally Hadden, Marion Center. Other surviving family members include his eleven grandchildren: Angela (Chad) Caruso, Courtney (Jeremy) Houser, Elica Shaw, Lauren (Sean) Hreha, Zachary (Melissa) Pruner, Holly Gardner, Keegan (Miranda) Schoch, Fallon (Aaron) Simpson, Madison Betts, Rylie Schoch and Jadyn Schoch, thirteen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Edward Sargent Tucker and his sister, Jaqueline Fay Adkins, brother-in-law Guy Pointer Davis, sisters-in-law Jean Bates and Bonnie Chewning. He was the last surviving member of “The Seven,” a group of neighborhood friends who enlisted in the 82nd Airborne together.
As a member of Christ Episcopal Church, Richard’s memorial service will be officiated by Father Bill Geiger on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Marion Center Cemetery at a later date.
The Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana is assisting the Tucker Family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice of Indiana County, 850 Hospital Road, Suite 3000, or to Christ Episcopal Church, 9th and Philadelphia Street Indiana, PA. The family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful care received from VNA Hospice, notably Angie, Chrissy and Corbin. Your kindness will not be forgotten.
Richard wanted to remind everyone that he will be waiting for his Lulu "to the left of the Gates."
Online Condolences may be offered by visiting rbfh.net.