Paul Tucker Jr.

Paul Tucker, Jr., 67, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was called home to be with the Lord on February 4, 2011. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 15, 1943 to Paul Tucker, Sr. and Frances Kinney Tucker. He was the oldest of eight siblings. Paul graduated from Ecorse High School in Ecorse, Michigan. He was a star basketball player and salutatorian of his high school class. Paul attended college in the 60’s and 70’s and spent three years in the Military as an artillery officer. After a tour of duty in Vietnam, he obtained his degree in civil engineering from Lawrence Technological University in 1971 and went on to Eastern Michigan University to get a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 1975. While attending college, he met his beautiful wife, Evelyn Virginia Reid of Inkster, Michigan and the two married on June 22, 1974. They were blessed to have three children, two daughters, Erika Tucker-Baker (David), Kendrah Hardin (Ralph) and son Kendall Tucker.

Paul was a gracious and loving husband, as well as a very ambitious man. In 1981, he began his first venture as an entrepreneur serving as Chief Engineer and Vice President of English, Tucker and Associates, Inc., in Detroit, Michigan. In March of 1984, he closed out ETA, and initiated Tucker, Young, Jackson, Tull, Inc., where until July 1, 2004, he remained its President and CEO. Paul Tucker retired December 2005 as Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of Tucker, Young, Jackson, Tull, Inc. Paul was a member of numerous professional engineering societies, such as National and Michigan Societies of Professional Engineers, National Black MBA’s, and Society of Engineers & Applied Scientists (SEAS). He was the Trustee of the Eastern Michigan University Foundation (1999-2010), and created the Eastern Michigan Business School Endowed Scholarship for African-American Students and also an endowment at Lawrence Technological University. Paul also received numerous honorary awards, which include: ACEC Felix Anderson Image Award, where he was the first recipient, Outstanding Civil Engineer Award (1999), John W. Porter (EMU) Distinguished Alumni Award (1999), EMU Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award (2008), and the Detroit Institute of Technology (LTU) Recognition Award (2007). But, the most important award he received was when he was ordained as a Deacon at Second Baptist Church of Ann Arbor in 2009. Paul Tucker, Jr. was a wonderful father, mentor, motivator and spiritual man. He was a man of faith and a true believer and follower of the Lord. When he talked, he was a very quiet and soft spoken man, but Paul ALWAYS had something to say. Paul enjoyed watching movies, the SyFy channel, sports, going out to eat and traveling. He was always giving advice and encouraging those to go above and beyond, but to always keep God first. He loved spending time with all his family and made it a point to attend every birthday party, graduation, wedding, BBQ, family reunion, or any other event that had to do with his family. Paul Tucker, Jr. was a member of Second Baptist Church of Ann Arbor where he was Men’s Fellowship Leader (1991-2002), a member of the Male Chorus, Building Committee member and a Deacon. He loved his church family and friends and ministering to others. Paul Tucker, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; Paul Tucker, Sr. and Frances Kinney Tucker; one brother, Albert Tucker and one sister, Kim Hughes. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn and his three children – Erika (David), Kendrah (Ralph), and Kendall. He is also survived by his three sisters, Dorothy Tucker, Rochelle Baker and Sherrill Robinson; his two brothers, Patrick (Peggy) Tucker and Michael (Sharon) Williams; his grandchildren; Camille, Gabrielle, Evan and Elijah; and a host of relatives, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Some of the many special people in his life were: Rev. Emmett L. Green (Pastor Emeritus, Second Baptist Church), Rev. Mark J. Lyons (Pastor of Second Baptist Church), Rev. Roger Merritt (Assoc. Minister of Second Baptist Church), the Deacons, Trustees, and Male Chorus of Second Baptist Church of Ann Arbor, special friends: Deacon John Hardin and Deacon Larry Gates, who introduced him to Second Baptist Church, his Ecorse High School classmates, and longtime friend, Lee Martin, all of whom cherish his memory. Arrangements under the direction of Muehlig Funeral Chapel, Ann Arbor, MI.