Junior Tucker

Published 10:03 pm Monday, June 17, 2013

Ernest Gerome Tucker Jr., 74, of Tryon, went home to be with the Lord, on June 15, 2013 after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by his family.

Born in Polk County, he was the son of the late Ernest Gerome Tucker Sr. and Elma Scruggs Tucker. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a former member of the Polk County Rescue Squad.

Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Linda Tucker; two daughters, Dawn Blackwell (Lane) of Green Creek, and Tammy Finch (Scott) of Landrum; two sons, Clay Tucker (Ann) of Lakeland, Fla. and Rickey Tucker (Patti) of Inman, S.C.; nine grandchildren, Caleb Blackwell, Savannah Blackwell, Cameron Ross (Savannah), Danielle Ross, Justin Tucker, Cody Tucker, Brandon Tucker, Kelsey Tucker, Rickey Tucker II and two great-grandchildren Brayden Tucker and Riley Sue Tucker; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Tucker of Mill Spring and two nieces, Charlene Owens (Thomas) of Columbus and Bonna Conner (William) of Mill Spring. He was predeceased by a son, Mark Tucker and two brothers, Flay and Charles Tucker.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon conducted by Pastor Rob Parson and Bill Sevier.

Visitation will be held from 1 – 1:45 p.m. Tuesday just prior to the service in the McFarland Funeral Chapel with military rites provided by the Polk Honor Squad.

The family request donations be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glenn Dr., Columbus, NC 28722

The family would like to thank all the staff of Hospice and VA Medical Center for the care they provided and the support they have given to the family during this time of sorrow.
A special thank you to his nurses Jane Foster, Marla Searcy, Monica Pierce, Dr. Kennerly, Dr. Kammell, Stephanie Spahr and Chaplin Rob Parson at Hospice and a special thank you to Dr. Roberts and staff at Century Oncology, Forest City, N.C.
Words cannot express the appreciation we have for you and what you have done. God bless you all.
The family will be at the home, l572 Moore Road, Tryon, N.C. An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.