Posted on 01/23/2020
At 85, Paul C. Tucker passed away peacefully at his home in Mandeville, La, on Friday January 17, 2020. His childhood lessons began early by surviving as the only boy in a family of 4 sisters. Paul's parents were Patton C. Tucker (a coal miner) and Lillian Quillen Tucker. He was born in Roda, VA on April 28, 1934 and he spent most of his childhood in Kingsport, TN. Paul graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1952. He completed 2 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute at Blacksburg, Va. being a proud member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Corps of Cadets. His dream to attend U.S. Naval Academy was realized with support from the Honorable Congressman B. Carroll Reese, 1st District of Tennessee who approved his appointment. In June 1958 he graduated as a Lieutenant and pilot. In 1963 he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy. His Navy ring was worn with great pride. He continued his education at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. and found employment as a technical procurement engineer for Westinghouse Corp in Pittsburgh. This position involved purchasing products for building atomic power plants and submarines. In 1964 he joined Kaiser Aluminum and moved the family to Chalmette, LA. As a procurement manager for Kaiser, he traveled abroad to Ghana, Africa- Gladstone, Australia – Jamaica – then back to the U.S. in 1977 settling in his favorite city of New Orleans, LA. In most cases, his growing family traveled as well, exposing them to a very protean and exciting upbringing. Once in New Orleans he opened five retail stores named Frame City and Art Gallery. While at Frame City he was an active member of the Kiwanis Club and Professional Picture Framers Association. This business and his real-estate interest were very successful allowing him to retire to Mandeville LA, with his wife Janeen. Paul and Janeen enjoyed traveling to Europe, snow skiing, cruising and gardening. Paul's life was full of hobbies, from train & stamp collections, owning race horses and an avid bridge player becoming a Life Master & certified instructor. His greatest achievement was clearly his dedication, support and love of his family. The gathering always included family competitions including, tennis, golf, card games, and the greatest of all- Spoons. Paul is survived by his wife of 32 years, Janeen Rather Tucker, daughters; Deborah (Mark) Nichols of Houston, TX, Cynthia (Mark) Haas of Palm Springs, CA.; Sons, Timothy (Christina) Tucker of New Orleans, Patrick (Nichole Chauvin) Tucker of New Orleans; Step-daughter Lisa (David) Harris of Baton Rouge ; step-son Jim (Nicole) Rather of Mandeville; sister Patti Hunley of Nashville, Tenn. Paul or "Pops" (as his grandkids called him) found his true calling as a grandfather to his 12 grandchildren. The family would like to thank his caregivers Cassandra Magee, Susan Lang , Sharon Faciane & LaCursha Pigott, and a very special thanks to Hospice nurse Lisa Sacs. A celebration of Paul's life will be held at St. Timothy United Methodist Church, 335 Asbury Drive, Mandeville, LA on Saturday January 25, 2020 with visitation starting at 10:00 am and the service beginning at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to New Orleans Medical Mission Services PO Box 6249 NOLA 70174 or St Francis Animal Sanctuary 813 Florida St Suite F Mandeville, LA 70448
Published in The Times-Picayune from Jan. 23 to Jan. 24, 2020