Obituary of Ernest R Tucker

Ernest Ray “Jack” Tucker, age 94, passed away in Idabel, OK on September 29, 2017. Jack was born on September 2, 1923 in Horatio, AR, the son of John R. and Celia May Tucker, but lived most of his life in McCurtain County. Jack was a 1942 graduate of Broken Bow High School where he met the love of his life, Mildred Ruth McAnally. After high school, he was drafted into the US Army where he served 3+ years in the 16th Armored Infantry, driving an M3 Half-track through much of Europe. On September 2, 1944, he and Mildred married – a union which lasted until her death in 2008. Jack spent most of his working career in the lumber and trucking industries. He was the Office Manager for T. Harrison Lumber Co. at the age of 18, and worked with his father at the family sawmill in Broken Bow after military service. In the mid-1950s, Jack and family moved to Idabel where he was a manager and later, VP of sales for Herron Lumber Co. In subsequent years, he also worked for Reynolds-Wilson Lumber Co. and Mixon Brothers Post Co. During this time, he also started his own trucking operation which he operated for several years until retiring in 1985. In addition to career pursuits, Jack was also very involved in civic activities. He was the second President of the Broken Bow Jaycees and served on the school board there. He was a Commander of the Idabel American Legion, a Deacon of the First Baptist Church in Idabel, President of the Idabel Rotary Club, and he and Mildred volunteered much of their time to manage the Idabel public swimming pool. In addition, he was a Board member and Treasurer for both the Oklahoma Forestry Association and the Forest Heritage Center, and Treasurer for the Herron Foundation, posts he held for more than 20 years each. He also served on the boards of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the McCurtain County Higher Learning Center. In the 1950s and 60s, Jack was the county campaign manager for George Nigh’s campaigns for both Lieutenant Governor and Governor. He was named Honorary Lt. Governor by Nigh in 1961 and was an Honorary Colonel on the Governor’s staff. In 2000, the Herron Foundation recognized his years of volunteer service with a special award. Starting in 2001, the foundation began recognizing other standout volunteers in the community with what is now known as the annual Jack Tucker Award. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Mildred; brothers, James “Jimmie” Tucker and John R. Tucker, Jr.; and sisters, Earlene Hall and Mary Lou Gray. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Margy Tucker of Flower Mound, TX, and Ray and Janet Tucker of Monument, CO; sister, Ann McDonald and husband Bill of Broken Bow; grandchildren Treena Breese Elkins and husband Matt of Crossroads, TX, Angela “Abby” Henisey and husband Rocky of Rockwall, TX, and Christopher Neal Tucker and wife Marisa of Highland Village, TX; great-grand children, Spencer Henisey, Payton Henisey, Paige Elkins, and Daegan Elkins; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.