Jim Tucker

Mr. Jim was born in Perry County on May 10, 1927 to the late Andrew Frank Tucker and Vera Jane Cotham Tucker. He was a United States Navy Veteran serving during World War II. At the age of 16, he graduated from Hume-Fogg Technical and Vocational High School in Nashville, Tennessee. At the beginning of World War II, he worked at Vultee, building airplanes during the war effort. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy in 1945. While in the Navy, he trained on the USS Wolverine, the USS Charger and he served as the first crew of the aircraft carrier, the USS Leyte. After leaving the Navy at the end of World War II, he attended the University of Tennessee Junior College at Martin, Tennessee. While he was in college, he met the love of his life, Bettye Jean Tiller and they were married on September 23, 1949. Throughout his life, he was active in his community, serving on numerous committees. He served as an Alderman for the City of Linden, was a member of the Lions Club for many years, and he along with other parents, advocated for the first Special Education class in Perry County Schools. He was most proud of being involved in obtaining the original grant that provided the pathway to build the airport in Linden, Tennessee that now bears his name. He loved flying and was a recreational pilot most of his life and he continued to fly until the age of 80.

Mr. Jim along with others were instrumental in the development and planning of the Buffalo River Country Club Golf Course and the grant for Mousetail Landing State Park. In addition, he designed the official Perry County and Hickman County flags. He also served for many years as the local State Farm Insurance agent for Perry and Hickman County where he made many life-long friendships and business relationships.

His family remembers him as being kind, generous, ambitious, intelligent, a visionary, a proud American Patriot and Veteran, and totally dedicated to his family, especially his son, Ted.

Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Bettye Jean Tiller Tucker, his children Pamela Tucker, Lisa Tucker and Ted Tucker, grandchildren Jamey Dabbs and Bethaney Dabbs (Eric Hickerson), great-grandchildren Tucker Dabbs and Lillibeth Bates, a brother Billy (Sue) Tucker as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family members and many, many friends.   

Military Honors will be presented at the cemetery.

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