Roll Call Tribute

Published in The Lufkin Daily News on July 7, 2016

Jack W. Tucker
Jack W. Tucker, 99, of Lufkin passed away Monday, July 4, 2016 in Lufkin. Services will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Elwyn M. Gipson Memorial Chapel in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park with Pastor Cindy Doran officiating. Military honors will follow at the graveside. Mr. Tucker was born April 11, 1917 in Burke, Texas, the son of the late Claude V. Tucker and Alma (Hennington) Tucker. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1938 and went to work in Trinity, Texas. He married the love of his life, Rhozine Yeates, and was soon called to serve in World War II. He led troops on D-Day I, landing on Omaha Beach and eventually becoming part of the forces fighting in the Battle of the Hedgerows for Hill 192. While fighting in the Hedgerows he found a Lufkin Daily News announcing the birth of his son, Jack, Jr. Captain Tucker returned home wounded but soon after he and Rhozine settled in Lufkin where he went into the real estate and insurance business. He was a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church and President and longtime member of the Rotary Club of Lufkin. Whether in the Army, business, or his family life he was a man of dignity and fairness. He always said "a man's handshake was as good as any piece of paper." Mr. Tucker, better known as "Big Jack," was a devoted husband and father, but his true joy came with the arrival of three granddaughters. They were the apple of his eye and he let everyone know it. Summers, camp, holidays or anytime were a happy time for him if his girls were there - he loved them so much. In between keeping the "girls" he and Rhozine opened a brass shop and traveled, but he always loved to come home, sit in his chair and watch the 5:30 news, with a little bowl of Cheetos and an adult beverage. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jack Tucker, Jr. and Jackie Behrendt of Houston; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Scott Taylor of Bryan; grandchildren, Robin Taylor of Houston, Laura Taylor of Dallas and Amanda Tucker of Houston; great-grandchild, Sosie Tucker Underwood; and very special cousin, Dan Spivey. In addition to his parents and beloved wife Rhozine, he was preceded in death by his cousins, Sherwood Spivey, Marshall Spivey, and Christine Spivey Birge. A very special thank you goes to Dr. Dan Spivey for his love and special concern for Jack and Rhozine. Our dad loved him like a brother and cherished the wonderful relationship they shared all during their lives. Also special thanks goes to the wonderful nurses at PineCrest that loved and cared for my dad. Pallbearers will be Jacques Balette, Robert Denum, Mike Taylor, Larry Sumners, David Rusk and Charles Evans. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Taylor, Mark Spivey, and David Spivey. Memorial contributions may be made to the Melinda Webb School at the Center for Hearing and Speech, 3636 West Dallas Street, Houston, Texas 77019. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon at the Elwyn M. Gipson Memorial Chapel. Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.




Funeral Home
Carroway Funeral Home - Lufkin
2704 S. John Redditt Dr. Lufkin, TX 75904
(936) 634-2255