Atlee A. Tucker

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Atlee A. Tucker, 80, of Phoenix, Ariz., died May 17, 2008, at St. Luke's Hospital in Phoenix. Born in Manila on Feb. 14, 1928, to Carlton and Parle Mary Martin Tucker, he received his early education at the Black Water School. As a teenager he moved to Chandler, Ariz., with his family. He later joined the Marine Corp and served between World War II and the Korean War. He served in the Arizona Army National Guard. He was a member of the Chandler Police Force, the Operating Engineers Local 428, and served as deacon of the Mountain Park Baptist Church. He married Gracie Karkula in 1951, and they were happily married for 57 years. They raised their family in South Phoenix, where he at one time served as President of the South Phoenix Jaycees and was active in other civic organizations. Atlee will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His strong personality, sense of humor, and his faith in God and family will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert Tucker; brothers, Wayne Tucker and George Holden; and sister, Marion Mullenix.

He is survived by his wife, Gracie; sons, Mark and Atlee Allen, Jr., and his wife, Carmen; twin sister, Marie, and her husband Corley Haggarton; brother, Phillip Holden, and his wife, Doris; sisters-in-law, Maxine Singer and Evelyn Holden; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 22, at East Resthaven Park Funeral Chapel with Rev. Phillip Rye officiating. Burial followed in the East Resthaven Park Cemetery.

Serving as active pallbearers were Jon and Dwight Haggarton, David and Jeffrey Tucker, Jimmy Garcia, and Bert Wallace, Jr.

Robert Allen Tucker served as an honorary pallbearer.

The family requests anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial consider the Blackwater Baptist Church.