John H. Tucker

John Harold Tucker, 89, of Evansville, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2016 at home. He was born February 7, 1927 in Maunie, Illinois, to the late Clarence L. and Flora (McDaniel) Tucker. John was a Christian husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and salesman who never met a stranger and always had a joke to tell. John was a graduate of Centennial Grade School where he was Eighth Grade May King. He left Reitz High School in 1944, and served in WWII in the Pacific Theater on the destroyer USS Remey DD688 where he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer, Third Class/Storekeeper. Japanese officials of the city of Ominato, Japan surrendered aboard his destroyer. He returned to Evansville in September 1946 to complete his education where he played center on the undefeated Reitz High School football team under Coach Herman Byers. He also organized his fellow high school students and played in the Pigeon Creek Puffer Band to raise money for their college tuitions. He graduated in 1947. His career as a salesman in Evansville began when he worked at A&P Grocery during high school and after graduation. He was Wear Ever Aluminum Cookwear Field Dealer where he won many sales awards. John also was Sales Manager for Evansville Garage Builders, and was owner of Blue Ribbon Builders. In his retirement years he continued to sell as the Menu Man at many area restaurants. John was an active member of Mt. Pleasant Church, and a fifty year member of Lessing Lodge #464, Scottish Rite Valley of Evansville, and Hadi Shrine. He wrote the monthly Scottish Rite Newsletter for many years. He also was a life member of VFW #1114, Funkhouser Post American Legion, R-Men’s Club, and Tin Can Sailor Association. Among his other accomplishments he was a Golden Gloves Boxer, PTA President of Delaware Grade School and Central High School and song leader at Church of God for 30 years. He also enjoyed his time at the Veterans Memorial Soccer Tournaments each year where he worked and was also honored as a veteran. John was an avid and talented golfer and had won several Tri-State Pro-Ams. As a teenager, John caddied at Helfrich Hills Golf Course. John and Carol enjoyed traveling, visiting many of the fifty states, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and the Caribbean. Surviving John are his wife of over 68 years, Carol (Eckardt) Tucker; son Alan Tucker of Bloomington Indiana, daughters Christina Mirando (husband Thomas) and Kim Eisman of Evansville; granddaughter Michelle Mirando Muller (husband Steve) of Ocoee, Florida, grandson John Mirando (wife Leslie) of Middletown, Indiana, and granddaughter Carissa Eisman (wife Brianna) of Litchfield Park, Arizona; great grandchildren McKensey Mirando, Jesseca Mirando, and Luke Muller; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his ten brothers and sisters: Arthur, Paul, Leona, Clarence, James, Faye, Helen, Juanita, Edna, and William. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street, Pastor Bruce Applegate officiating. Burial will follow at Park Lawn Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club will conduct military rites. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, where Lessing Lodge #464 will conduct a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Friends may also visit with the family from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant Church, 8900 Baumgart Road, Evansville, IN 47725 or to the Vanderburgh County Humane Society, 400 Millner Industrial Drive, Evansville, IN 47710.

John H. Tucker

February 7, 1927 - May 22, 2016