Raymond E. Tucker

Raymond Tucker passed away on March 16, 2017, in Owingsville, Kentucky.  He was 81 years old.

Mr. Tucker was born in 1935 in London, Ohio, to Walter and Dorothy Tucker, both of Ohio.  During his childhood, Mr. Tucker lived in several states, spending significant time in Florida.  In 1952, Mr. Tucker enlisted in the United States Army at age 17, and he had a long and distinguished military career.  Mr. Tucker reached the rank of Sergeant First Class and served combat tours in Korea and Vietnam, participating in 308 combat missions.  He also served overseas tours in Japan and Germany, and stateside at Camp Gordon, Georgia; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Rucker, Alabama; and Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  In 1967, he was appointed Warrant Officer, and rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.   Thereafter, Mr. Tucker served in the civil service for the United States Army at the Pentagon, concentrating in weapons requisitions for the active service.

During his thirty years of active service and twelve years of civil service with the United States Army, Mr. Tucker received over 66 awards and decorations.  These included the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.  He also received the Air Medal (seven times), the Army Commendation Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with two Palms, the National Defense Service Medal (First Oak Leaf), and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

In addition to his exemplary service to the United States and its allies, Mr. Tucker was a friendly and outgoing family man.  In 1962, he married Carole Miller of Owingsville, daughter of Arnold and Eula Miller.  After retiring in 1997, he and Carole settled in Owingsville to be near family.  His sense of duty, honor and loyalty, well earned during his military service, never left Mr. Tucker, and he worked hard to further those ideals in his family, friends and community.

Mr. Tucker is survived by his wife of 54 years; their son, Vincent (Zora Pennington)Tucker of Preston, Kentucky; and their daughter, Denise Tucker (Robert Kieb) Corbett of Bristow, Virginia.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Daiquiri (Jason) Ams of Lexington, Kentucky; Raymond A. Tucker of Preston, Kentucky; Dayna Tucker of Owingsville, Nicollette D. Tucker of Knoxville, Tennessee; Tristan A. Corbett of Bristow, Virginia; and Sydney B. Corbett of Bristow, Virginia; one great-grandchild Preslee Tucker; his brother and sister-in-law Mitchell and Cheryl Miller; and special niece and nephew Reese Durham and Scott Miller.

Friends may call from 1-2 p.m. on Monday. Funeral Services will begin at 2 p.m. with Reverend Lowell Rice officiating. 

Burial will follow at a later time in the Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Contributions are suggested to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in honor of Raymond Tucker.

 Service Information