Gerald Edward Tucker (Jerry) resident of Yukon, Oklahoma peacefully went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, December 18th with his family by his side.
Born December 4, 1936, to Godly parents, Vernie and Mildred Tucker of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Jerry was the oldest of three children. He built friendships there that would last a lifetime, especially with his much-loved friends Denny and Leona Tyler. Sapulpa always meant home to Jerry, and he carried those memories with him in his heart.
Jerry moved to Oklahoma City in 1953 where he attended John Marshall High School and quickly
became a football and basketball star. Stars were in his eyes, when he met Wanda Christine Williams, while attending services at Britton Road Church of Christ. In 1955, in their senior year, Jerry was the captain of the football team and Wanda was the homecoming queen. They would be married in January 1957 and be together for the next 65 years!
In 1959, Jerry and Wanda’s life changed forever with the birth of their baby girl, Julie Christine. A few years later they were so proud to have a son, Gerald Edward Junior. Fast forward a few decades, and Jerry became “Grandpa” to eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren with another on the way! Family always meant everything to Jerry. Jerry’s gift to his family was his undying love and devotion, always giving them hugs and kisses and words of encouragement.
In 1960, Jerry graduated from Central State University, in Edmond, Oklahoma and soon began his career with the YMCA. It was a perfect match for his education and passion for sports. The YMCA took him to San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Galveston, Towson, Maryland and finally to the Howard County YMCA in Baltimore where he was the Executive Director. Jerry left the YMCA in the late 1970s moving back to Oklahoma to be closer to family. He continued to work at various jobs until he officially retired from the YMCA in 1995.
Some of Jerry’s favorite things were OU Football, the Dallas Cowboys, and duck hunting. But everyone who met Jerry quickly realized that he loved to play golf. He made so many friends over the years chasing a little white ball around golf courses all over the country. If you ever played with him, you came to know that he not only liked playing golf, but he really liked winning at golf. Always a competitor in whatever he did, but always patient with beginners.
Jerry’s life was guided by his faith in Jesus Christ. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ in whatever city he lived. He served as an elder in two congregations, the University Parkway Church of Christ in Baltimore and at the Bethany Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. After services, wherever he was, you would always find him giving hugs, handshakes, and words of encouragement, often being one of the last to leave.
He is preceded in death by his parents Vernie and Mildred Tucker and his brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Barbara Tucker. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, daughter, Julie Rice and her husband, Clendon, son, Jerry Tucker, and his wife, Shawn McCreery, grandchildren Matthew Rice (Whitney), Katie Aldridge (Mark), Tanner Rice (Chandy), Beth Barber (David), Kelsey Nicholas (Justin), Maddie McCreery, Sydney McCreery, and Nick McCreery. Also, great grandchildren, Clendon and Lila Rice, Henry and Everett Aldridge, Ruby, Maggie, and Shelton Rice, and Maddie and Tucker Barber. He is also survived by his sister, Patsy Alcorn and her husband, Willie, as well as many much-loved nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
We will miss you, Jerry! Go rest high on that mountain, Son your work on earth is done. Go to Heaven a shoutin’ the love of the Father and the Son!
A memorial celebrating Jerry’s life will be Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at New Hope Church of Christ, 700 W. 2nd Street, Edmond, OK 73003.
In memory of Jerry, the family suggests donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation (JRDF) at https://www2.jdrf.org
