WR Tucker, Jr, 74, our beloved husband, father, Pawpa, and friend, died on May 12, 2022, in Nocona, TX.  A visitation will be at 5 pm on Sunday, May 15 at Jerry Wood’s Funeral Home.   The funeral will be on Tuesday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at the Nocona First United Methodist Church, 200 Grayson Street, Nocona. Graveside service will follow.  

WR was born on February 12, 1948, in Nocona to Raymond and Mabel Price Tucker. He grew up near Spanish Fort and Prairie Valley with his sisters, Carol and Barbara. His family were farmers/ranchers and WR was active in Future Farmers of America and played basketball in high school at Prairie Valley.    

WR graduated with a degree in Agriculture from East Texas State University in 1970. At ETSU, he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho. He started his career as an Ag Teacher.  He continued his education a few years later to earn his master’s in Education Administration at Texas Woman's University. WR was an ag teacher, Director of Special Education of Montague County and ultimately found his way back to Prairie Valley where he was superintendent for 21 years.  He was a life-long educator and always wanted to do what was best for all students and staff that he served.  

On June 1, 1969, he married the love of his life, Patti, and moved to Commerce, Tx where he worked for ETSU for a few years.  They eventually made their home in Nocona, Texas, where they raised their family.    WR loved life and lived it to the fullest. He never met a stranger and everyone he met was instantly his friend.  He loved Texas music and developed a passion for Bob Wills - Texas Swing and Texas Country Music.  Many weekends were spent with friends and family at Melody Mountain Ranch, Michael Hearne’s Barn Dance in New Mexico or in Turkey, Texas celebrating Bob Wills.  You could always find him at the corn dog stand long after the music stopped.  He was also one of the founders of Nocona Nights, which brings music entertainers from across Texas to Nocona for monthly concerts.  It was important for him to give back to the community of Nocona.  He served on the Nocona City Council and then on the Hospital Board for a few years.  He was a past member of the Nocona Rotary Club and Young Farmers. Never forgetting his roots, he was instrumental in helping build the Montague County Show barn. He was also involved in the 1986 Centennial Wagon Train visit to Nocona, where his committee provided a meal for 5,000 people in the community. He was also a member of the Nocona United Methodist Church.  

WR had a lot of awards and accomplishments over the years, but he was most proud of his grandkids, Tucker and Eleanor.  He loved being their Pawpa, and nothing made him happier than when they were all together cooking, playing in the lake, or riding in the Ranger.  He made time to attend their football games, volleyball games, and golf tournaments all over DFW.    WR and Patti retired to their favorite place on earth, Lake Nocona. 

WR spent most of his time tending to his garden in the heat of the summer.  He couldn’t wait to plant in the early spring and then share tomatoes and okra with his friends.  He was happiest when he was cooking for all of his family and friends.  To keep him busy, he would make homemade sausage, bacon, sauerkraut, and tamales.  Family, friends, food and fun was guaranteed when WR was around!  

He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mabel Price Tucker, brother, David Lynn, and sister, Carol Hinton.    

WR is survived by his wife, Patti; daughter, Cheryl and partner JB Rouse, Frisco; son, Jeff and wife, LeAnn, Denton; grandchildren, Tucker, Eleanor, Garrett, and Nicholas; sister Barbara Kelly and husband JC, Valley View; brother-in-law, Harold Reynolds and wife Sandra, sister-in-law, Becky Scroggins and husband Gary, Decatur and many special nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.   

Donations in WR’s name can be made to the Lucky Paws or Nocona First United Methodist Church Jeans and Shoes Fund. Arrangements entrusted to the Jerry Woods Funeral Home of Nocona.