John "Tommy" Tucker

John Thomas “Tommy” Tucker, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2021.

Tommy was born January 25, 1935 in Stanly County to the late Millard and Minnie Tucker. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Penny Poplin Tucker, as well as, seven beloved sisters and brother-n-laws.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm, Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. The funeral service to celebrate his life will follow at 3:30 pm.

He is survived by his three daughters, Sherry (Allen) Hatley, Lisa (Tracy) Lowder, and Karen (Todd) Dickinson; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Tommy was a humble and capable steward of the blessings he had been given. He was a man that appreciated the value and meaning of work and the pleasures of family life. To support his family, he drove more than a million miles as a driver for Overnight over the course of thirty plus years and was thankful for every mile. He loved to ’piddle’ when he was not working or serving. This meant you could find him meticulously washing or waxing his car or GoldWing, mowing his yard, weeding his garden, chopping wood for the wood stove, tuning up his boat, or repainting his tractor or Penny’s VW Rabbit.

He enjoyed a good adventure and was full of quiet and very quick jokes. He and Penny traveled across the United States on their GoldWing motorcycles, soaking in the majesty of the Lord all along the way. He went to many car shows throughout the years, enjoying the classics and brand new cars all the same. By nature, Tommy was quiet and most often sat back and observed. Just when you thought he wasn’t paying attention, he would quietly add in a thought or two, or maybe even ‘baah’ like a goat, giving everyone a laugh while he just sat back and smiled.

Tommy loved humbly, yet made such a mighty difference to so many. He helped build ramps for the elderly all over Stanly County, traveled across the United States with the NC Baptist Men, feeding those who had just experienced natural disaster, served in the Army National Guard, and gave blood any and every time that he could. He was not one to lead loudly, but was always generously giving his time, strength, self, and money to help others in need. This is how he loved; this was his purpose and his calling; this was Christ in him. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend to all. Tommy’s gentle and humble heart is what will be carried on hereafter within the souls of those he touched.

Memorials may be made to Community Home Care & Hospice, 1024 Albemarle Road, Suite 904, Troy, NC 27371 or Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro, NC 28129.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Tucker family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com