Gary Dean Tucker, 85, departed this life on January 12th, 2024, at Smith County Memorial Hospital surrounded by family.
He was born December 11th, 1938, in Reamsville, KS, the only son of Arthur & Florence (Luther) Tucker.
Gary was much loved by his parents and was a very special nephew to his Uncle Roy & Aunt Hazel Tucker. They were like a second set of parents to him.
Gary attended country school at Dewey and then graduated from Smith Center High School with the Class of 1957. He met and fell in love with Judy Nickell and on May 29th, 1960 they were married at the Reamsville Methodist Church. They were blessed with four beautiful children: Michael David, Greggory Dean, Julie Lynn, and Jill Nicole. In later years, he welcomed daughters & sons in-law. He was a proud Grandad to 6 grandsons and 7 granddaughters, as well as 10 great grandchildren.
Gary loved having his family around – working on the farm or harvesting, weeknight and Sunday meals, spur of the moment weiney roasts, camping in Colorado, fishing, spending time at the lake, and countless hours following the kids and grandkids to sports and school events.
Gary loved his dogs, and they loved him. King, multiple Queens, and Ginger were his farm dogs, and then Pepper rode endless miles with him in the Semi.
Gary valued his ability to work and provide for this family. He was always there when someone called; whether it was to fix a fence or repair a vehicle, he was ready to help. He was a farmer/rancher, but custom harvesting ran deep in his blood. He would start down in Clinton OK, moving to Holyrood KS, Oshkosh NE, and finally ending in Pine Bluffs WY. The final years were spent in his semi hauling grain all over the area.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Art & Florence Tucker, and his son-in-law LEW Whitson.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy, of Smith Center. Children: David (Kelli) Tucker, Julie (Linton) Haresnape, Gregg (Sandi) Tucker, Jill (Sam Mays) Whitson. Grandkids: Travis (Michelle Sink) Tucker, Tricia (Darnell) Sims, Cody (Arikka) Tucker, Van (Carlee) Tucker, Sam (Ben Brooks) Tucker, Will Tucker, Kim Tucker, Arika (Austin Morgan) Haresnape, Megan (Justin) Zimmerman, Lamar (Abrillia) Whitson IV, Jarrett (Katie) Whitson, Haylee Whitson, Emma Whitson. Great Grandchildren: Cheyenne Sims, Jaden Sims, Nash Tucker, Lettie Tucker, Wyatt Tucker, Kreed Brooks, Raylynn Morgan, Tucker Morgan, Mya Zimmerman, Jasper Zimmerman.