Cecil “C.J.” Tucker, Sr., 94, of Hughesville, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025, at The Gatehouse.
Born September 29, 1930, in Winfield, Kan., he was a son of the late Joseph and Oma (Holt) Tucker.
He and his wife, Grace Walkup, of Hughesville, shared a wonderful 20 years of marriage together. They met while she was living in Raleigh. Cecil’s grand entrance into Grace’s life came when he rescued her on the belt way which took over eight hours. Ever since this day, Cecil has followed Grace around.
At just 17 years old, he enlisted in the Navy. He served for 30 years and received numerous awards and medals. Prior to his enlistment in the military, he became a pilot in Kansas where he flew a piper cub, that was made in Lock Haven, and had the duty of making rural newspaper drops. He specifically enjoyed collecting firearms and knives including a samurai sword that was surrendered by the Japanese during the end of World War II. He also had a 3rd class brown belt in Judo and Karate. He was a very involved member of many HAM Radio Clubs and enjoyed woodworking, building custom cabinets, and built two homes in North Carolina for his family back in the day.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are five children, Carol (Joshua Hudson) Blackman, of Mattoon, IL., Susan (Gilbert Anderson) Merritt, of Yanceyville, N.C., and Lee (Delores Hall) Tucker, of Raleigh, N.C.; Amy (Jesse, Jr.) Wertman, of Hughesville, and Joshua (Theresa) Bieber, of Lakeland, Fla.; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Cecil was also preceded in death by a son, Cecil “Jim” Tucker, Jr., and brother, Robert Tucker.
Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025, at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home Inc., 557 E. Water St., Hughesville, with Chaplain Thomas Brokaw officiating. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorial contributions to The Gatehouse and can be sent to http://www.susquehannahealthfoundation.org.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccartythomas.com.
