Theo Tucker

Major Theo (Ted) Maurice Tucker, USAF (Ret), age 75, of Lawton, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at his home. He was born May 15, 1941 in Salem, Ark., to Earl and Faye (Isenhower) Tucker. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 9, 2017 from 4-6 p.m. at the funeral home. Graveside services with full military honors will be Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Oriana Cemetery, in Stonewall County, Texas. Arrangements are under direction of Whinery-Huddleston Funeral Service. Theo was the youngest of six children. His parents owned and operated Earl's Café in downtown Salem for a number of years, and Theo and his siblings all worked in the café with their parents. Theo graduated from Salem High School in 1959, from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1963, and from Memphis State University with a Masters of Education in 1969. He returned to college at the University of Central Arkansas, receiving his EDS in 1990. Theo married Doris Ann Bilbrey on September 25, 1964 in Buffalo Gap, Texas. A son, Stacy, was born in 1967, and a daughter, Teresa, born in 1970. Theo served in the United States Air Force for 20 years. His first duty station after training was Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas. He spent a 12-month tour of duty in Taiwan and Vietnam from December 1965 to December 1966. Theo was also stationed at Webb Air Force Base, Big Spring, Texas; Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La.; Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma State University ROTC program, Stillwater, Okla., and Little Rock Air Force Base, Jacksonville, Ark. He retired from the Air Force in 1985. He taught Junior Air Force ROTC at Cabot High School in Cabot, Ark., from 1984-1990 and taught Science at Jacksonville Middle School from 1991-1997. Theo was a member of Northwest Church of Christ. He was a Deacon at the Cabot Church of Christ for many years. He did volunteer work with Sojourners from 2001-2005. He enjoyed playing golf and traveled the United States with his wife, Doris, for five years in an RV, while also doing volunteer work. He is preceded in death by his parents; oldest brother, Toppie Tucker; and his oldest sister, Patsy Tucker Parker. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Doris Ann Tucker, of the home; a son, Stacy Lynn Tucker of Lawton; a daughter, Teresa Gail Tucker Warner and son-in-law, Michael Warner of Lawton; grandchildren: Tristan Tucker, Emily Warner, and Audrey Warner, all of Lawton; three siblings: Joy Tucker Kersey of Salem, Arkansas, Carolyn Tucker Bowman of Searcy, Ark., and Max Tucker of Sherman, Texas, along with numerous other relatives. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Theo's name to Children's Homes, Inc, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, Ark. 72450 (childrenshomes.org for online donations) or Boles Children's Home, 7065 Love, Quinlan, Texas 75474-4609 (armsofhope.org for online donations). Theo's online guestbook can be signed and condolences sent by visiting: www.whineryhuddleston.com.