Joseph Allan Tucker Jr., M.D., a resident of Mobile, Alabama, died peacefully on March 23, 2016, following an eighteen month battle with brain cancer. Born in Gainesville, Georgia, and raised in Decatur, Georgia, he was the son of Joseph Allan Tucker Sr., and the late Jacqueline Leverett Tucker.
Dr. Tucker is survived by his loving wife, Jean Walker Tucker; his children, Rebecca Hollis Tucker (Andrew Warren Kyser), William Allan Tucker, M.D. (Megan Hudson Tucker, M.D.), and Catherine Walker Tucker; his father; his brother, David Scott Tucker (Karen Lynn Turpin); his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Williams; Jean’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. William Addison Walker; Jean’s brothers and sisters-in-law; and his cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He received his undergraduate degree, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Georgia where he was a Foundation Fellow and a member of Phi Beta Kappa and of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He received his Doctorate of Medicine from Vanderbilt University, where he was awarded the National Research Award. He completed his residency and fellowship in Pathology at Duke University after which he served on the faculty as Assistant Professor and Chief, Division of Surgical Pathology. In 1991, he joined the faculty of the University of South Alabama where, in 2003, he became the Louise Lenoir Locke Professor and Chair of Pathology. At USA he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and was elected to the board of directors of the University of South Alabama Foundation as the USA faculty representative.
Allan was dedicated to teaching. His students and residents recognized this commitment by selecting him for many honors including Best Basic Science Professor, Best Senior Rotation, and Faculty Recognition Award for best pathology housestaff teacher. He was selected by several classes of medical students to be the speaker for their second year White Coat ceremony and/or graduation Honors Convocation.
As was stated in a resolution recently adopted by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Alabama, “Dr. Tucker’s insight, intellect, and dedication to the field of pathology and electron microscopy on a national and international level are rivaled only by his wit, thoughtfulness, and generosity to others.”
A celebration of his life will be held at noon on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 151 S. Ann Street, Mobile, Alabama 36604. The family will receive visitors before the service at 10:30 in the Parrish Hall.
The family would like to thank Soynika Edwards Bush and Genny Frame for the loving care and support they provided Allan and the family during his illness.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. J. Allan Tucker Endowed Fund for Faculty and Resident Development in Pathology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Office of Development, 300 Alumni Circle, Mobile, Alabama 36688, phone number 251-414-8144.
