On August 9, 2025, Ernest Eugene Tuck, Jr (Ernie), 62 of Huntsville, Alabama, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at the residence of Scott and Cheryl Caldwell in Athens, Alabama. The Caldwells are Ernie’s longtime dear friends, who offered themselves as loving caregivers during the four months of his end of life transition. Ernie grew up in Athens, Alabama. From a young age, he raced motorcycles in events all around the country. With his father and brother as his crew, he won countless races. He attended college at the University of North Alabama (UNA), where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. During those years, he worked part-time as a sound engineer for college bands. He maintained lifelong friendships with many of his fraternity brothers and musician colleagues. After graduation from college, Ernie founded Sound Source Productions, Inc. of Huntsville, Alabama. When he sold the company, he stayed on as General Manager. Under his guidance and leadership the corporation has enjoyed decades of success in the audio/visual production domain. With unquestionable gifts, Ernie’s favorite aspect of the work always remained in audio engineering for live shows. One of Ernie’s core values was entertaining others, whether through his work, in his home, or on his boat. In his leisure time, Ernie enjoyed captaining his boat, “Nip and Tuck III,” with his goldendoodle, Max, by his side. Yet, Ernie’s greatest passion was developing young race car drivers through quarter midget racing. This zeal started when his sons were young racers and continued through his cancer illness. On the day he died, a quarter midget car built by Ernie took the checkered flag in the Music City. Visitation will be at Spry Funeral Home in Athens on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 1 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. service, led by the Rev Danielle Thompson. Ernie is survived by sons: Dillon Tuck of Huntsville and Martin Tuck of Nashville; siblings: Chuck (Debbie) Tuck of Athens and Jeannie (Duane) Pirtle of Athens; extended family: Mary Catherine (Karen) Allan-Thomas of Decatur, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made to either Ark, Inc. at https://arkinc.org/ or to Semper Fi Racing at https://semperfictf.org/donate/. –Be sure to use the pull-down to designate to racing.
