James Lloyd Tucker

James Lloyd Tucker passed to his eternal heavenly home on December 20, 2020. He was born in Arkansas, raised a family in Tennessee and enjoyed his sunset years in Colorado. Well educated, much loved and highly successful, he made this world a better place. A book would be insufficient to capture and condense the highlights and accolades of Lloyd’s 93 years.

Having moved to a new city, walking into church at 16 years old, Lloyd saw the love of his life with beautiful long, black wavy hair in a pew near the front. He stopped in the doorway to check his wallet for something to write on. All he had was his Social Security card. At the bottom, he recorded the date as he knew he had just set eyes on the woman he would marry. They inscribed “RAI loves JLT” in the wet cement sidewalk of the Pine Bluff Arsenal housing. Lloyd’s mother would not sign for him to marry at 16, so as soon as he had his 17th birthday, he married Ruth Ann Irwin. They continued their love in epic proportions throughout their 60 years with his love never fading in the 16 years after God called her to their heavenly home for rest.

Lloyd worked numerous jobs as a young man including delivering groceries on a bicycle, car sales, mechanical work on a train, certified mechanic and professional photographer owning a studio and taking pictures in dinner clubs. After serving in the Army Air Corps of the U.S. Army Air Force, Lloyd began his career in Government Supply. Having worked every government position from supply clerk to Warranted Contracting Officer to Property Disposal Expert and Surveillance from the bottom to the top, Lloyd earned countless awards. He was the world’s top expert in Demilitarization and wrote the government regulations including staging and photographing the methods he developed. He traveled extensively inspecting military installations, sometimes undercover, and teaching classes to active duty and civilians.

Over the course of time, Lloyd was an active member of numerous organizations, always serving in a leadership role, usually because the other members vocally requested his leadership. These include but are not limited to the Masonic Lodge; the Order of the Eastern Star, Worthy Patron; Wally Bynam Airstream Club, President; Go-Win Camper Club, Chaplain, Club President and Trail Master; National Campers & Hikers Association Memphis Queen Chapter, Chaplain, Club President, Environmental Club President, Teen Club Advisor and Trail Master; Woodrun Home Owners Association, President and Chaplain; Colonial Baptist Church, Chairman of the Deacons and Adult Mens’ Sunday School Teacher as well as many other roles; Memphis Federal Defense Credit Union, Loan Officer; Range Master Club Memphis and Ft. Carson Colorado, Range Master; Little League, Coach and Umpire for the team Pontiac.

Lloyd was baptized in Old River Lake at Wright, Arkansas. His passions included his service to God, Biblical research, his family, history, guns and cars. When he was about 10, he was permitted on Sunday to drive the family’s Model A from where it was kept behind the house to the front of the house so they could go to church. He could identify older car models and years by their sound before even seeing them. He traded his bicycle and watch for his first car, a 1936 Ford 2-door. At age 15, he bought a 1928 Oldsmobile, one of his favorite cars, but also owned cars by Hudson, Kaiser, Nash, Mercury, Ford, Pontiac, GMC, Cadillac and Toyota.

Two of Lloyd’s greatest gifts were his devotion and constant service to God and to his family. He not only cherished Ruth Ann with an indescribable love, but was a devoted, loving father and grandfather. He played with his children, teaching them and others to waterski, skateboard, operate remote control cars and planes, fly kites, build snow forts, ride bicycles, drive cars and boats and play games. As a family, we played cards (lots of canasta), board games, badminton, kickball, softball, precursor to flag football, croquet, swimming and engaged in countless other games and activities, such as metal detecting and motorcycle riding. Lloyd didn’t just coach and watch, he actively played with his children, even engaging in snowball fights while still dressed in his suit on returning from work. He would do anything for anyone in need. And he passionately loved and supported his family.

Lloyd Tucker is survived by his children, John Lloyd Tucker (Becky) in Georgia, James Ronald Tucker (Miriam) in Michigan, Harold Lynn Tucker (Marylin) in Kansas and Rita Ann Frugé (Anthony “Tony”) in Colorado. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Yes, that makes 32 grand to great-great grandchildren, all much loved.

Due to the pandemic, Lloyd’s funeral service with Military Honor Guard will be held on-line through Facebook at First Baptist Church of Pine Bluff on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Central Time. He will be laid to rest with his beloved wife, Ruth Ann, with graveside prayer and 23rd Psalm at Memorial Park Cemetery in Pine Bluff Arkansas. A link will be provided for his on-line memorial service through Dignity Memorial Griffin Leggett Healey Roth. Lloyd’s full obituary is at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/little-rock-ar/james-tucker-9999943.

Lloyd financially supported many charities, giving to churches, the Salvation Army, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Samaritan’s Purse, Mission Dignity, the Springs Rescue Mission and many others. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springs Rescue Mission. He had a heart for their service. They have set up a Memorial Fund in the name of James L. Tucker. You may mail donations to: Springs Rescue Mission, Attn: Finance Dept., 5 W. Las Vegas St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 or online at https://donate.springsrescuemission.org/donate or call (719) 314-2373. They are Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) Accredited, Excellence in Giving Certified Transparent, El Pomar Accredited and Pikes Peak United Way Award for Collaboration.