William Michael Tucker

Mike Tucker, 66, was born November 21, 1943 in Memphis, TN and passed away September 3, 2010 at his home after a long illness. He was the son of the late Lola Coursey and John E. Tucker, both of Memphis, TN.

Mr. Tucker graduated from Frazier High School in Memphis, TN in 1961 and attended Memphis University. He served his country in the United States Air Force for four years. He was a member of the Memphis Police Department for seven years and then became Chief of Police for the Department of Veteran Affairs. He was a welfare fraud investigator after his retirement from the federal government. He and his wife lived in Dallas, TX for a few years before moving to Lufkin in 1999.

Mr. Tucker was a devoted father and proud grandaddy. He was a great person and always helped others and got along with everyone. He was an avid animal lover. He also loved to watch college football every season and he loved the Tennessee Volunteers. He was of the Catholic faith. He was very loved and will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.

Survivors include wife, Catherine Tucker of Lufkin; son, Michael Shane Tucker of Lufkin; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Bryan Malouff of Alamosa, CO; son Thomas Tucker of Denver, CO; grandchildren; Neff, Kaitlyn, Sage and Noah Malouff of Alamosa, CO; Natalie Tucker of Lufkin; and sister, June Franklin of Henderson, TN.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Tucker was preceded in death by Kenneth Tucker and Marie Tucker.

Memorial donations may be offered to the American Heart Association.

A Memorial Service will be held in Colorado at a later date, where his ashes will be placed among the winds off the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, according to Mr. Tucker's wishes.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com.

Gipson Funeral Home; directors