Jimmy Arnold Tucker, a proud native of Decatur, was born May 13, 1936, to Ylys Arnold Tucker and Cynthia Grace (Standridge) Tucker. He died at home on Sunday, April 28, 2013, with his family.
After graduating from Decatur High School in 1954 and receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama in January 1959, Jim served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Jim was eternally proud of his father’s service as a member of the United States Navy in World War II. Jim was eight years old when his father was killed at sea in 1944.
After his service to his country in the Marines, Jim returned to the University where he earned a Mastet’s of Accounting degree and began his practice as a Certified Public Accountant in Decatur in 1965. In addition to his work as a CPA, Jim also enjoyed establishing in recent years a grain and cotton farm in Lawrence County.
Since becoming an Eagle Scout in high school, Jim was active in civic service. He was a past president of the Rotary Club of Decatur where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow, and remained one of the longest-tenured active members until his death. Jim was the longest tenured member of the Decatur Investment Club. He also served for 30 years with the BBVA Compass Bank – Decatur Board of Directors.
Jim was a lifelong Methodist and a member of Central United Methodist Church of Decatur for 47 years. In recent years he especially enjoyed his time with the Wesley Men’s Bible Study that met every Thursday morning, and was pleased to be able to establish an endowed fund to assist United Methodist seminary students.
Jim’s survivors are his wife, Betty Katherine (McKelvey) Tucker, Decatur, son James Arnold Tucker and his wife Wendy Knox Tucker of Tuscaloosa, son John Glenn Tucker and his wife Sandra Clem Tucker of Decatur, and granddaughters Marilyn McKelvey Tucker of Decatur, Georgia, Hannah Knox Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Alexandra Regan Tucker and Lauren Ashley Tucker of Decatur.
The family will receive in the atrium of Central United Methodist Church in Decatur from five o’clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, April 30.
Jim’s Service of Death and Resurrection will be conducted in the sanctuary of the Church at one o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, May 1, with the interment to follow at Decatur City Cemetery, Reverend Gary Formby officating. Assisting Reverend Formby are Reverend Charles Boling and Reverend Burl Oliver.
Pallbearers are Stan Allan Evans, Ross Dickinson Hasson, Ramon Lee (Ray) Norris, Rufus Wilson (Bud) Orr, Jr., David Edward Scott, Timothy Jeffrey (Tim) Smith, William Gray (Bill) Stone, Jr., and John Ellis Wilkes, III. Honorary pallbearers are William James (Bill) Sherman, members of the Decatur Investment Club and members of the Wesley Men’s Bible Study. Ridout’s Brown-Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would appreciate memorials to the JimTucker Award Foundation (Northwest District UMC, 158 Ana Drive, Suite C, Florence,AL 35630) or a memorial of choice.
