John Everette Tucker

It is with great sadness that the family of John Everette Tucker announces his passing on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia on November 26, 1969, John was the third born child of Malcolm (Buddy) Tucker and Mary Bennett Humphreys. John grew up in the heart of the town of Altavista. After graduating in 1987 from Altavista High School, he attended Central Virginia Community College and The American College, making his career in the financial industry for more than 30 years. He met his wife Denise in 1986, and knew the week that they met that they would marry. They spent 35 years building their home, their life, and their family together. They were blessed with a daughter, Faith Mari'. To say John was a dedicated father would be a huge understatement. He loved her more than all the world and to be certain, the feeling is mutual. He found great joy in being a girl dad, a dance dad, a youth group dad, and a nurse dad, fiercely loving all of his "adopted" daughters and sons along the way. They gained a loved and valued son when Faith Mari' married her husband, Casey. The latest of blessings to their family was the birth of their grandson, Cooper. John wore many hats, but his role as Papaw was clearly one of his most cherished. John found peace and solace in the great outdoors enjoying a golf cart or truck ride through the orchard, "on the fancy road", or over the mountain whenever possible. He was a farmer, an avid hunter, a fisherman and loved spending time outdoors with family and friends solving the problems of this world, laughing (crying), sharing stories of days gone by and of dreams for the future. He loved contemporary Christian music, listened to it daily, often playing it in the greenhouse for his plants. It was very common to hear music blaring as he sang, literally, at the top of his lungs. He was a man of unwavering faith and conviction and was as equally concerned about the salvation of his fellow man as he was of his own. Throughout his life, John's roles were countless but first and foremost he was a child of God. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from John. Pray every day but never, ever forget to pray before leaving on a trip and before returning home. You gotta ride this ride (of life). Put your immediate focus on two days - today and tomorrow. You're not going one second before your time. If you're having dessert, eat it first. No one cares if your socks don't match, and to whom much is given, much is expected. John's antics were legendary and those who knew him have their own stories to tell. He was nothing if not honest. He said what he meant and he meant what he said. His body of this world may have struggled, but his spirit was stubbornly strong. Evident by a large extended family of relations and friends from across the globe and from every walk of life, John never knew a stranger. His heart of service was obvious in his more than 30 years of dedicated volunteer service and leadership with the Altavista Fire Company, serving first as treasurer then as Chief of the department for 18 years. He considered it both an honor and a privilege to serve the town and the county in this way. His service extended far beyond Campbell County in his years of work through deployment as a national first responder with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team. His spirit lives on in the hearts of his family and in every burst of fireworks, OIB wave, mountain sunset, and presentation of The Lion King at Disney World. He is also survived by his father and step-mother, Buddy and Marie Tucker, sisters, Lenette McClelland (Tim), Tina Winston (Keith), brother, Bennett Tucker, eight nieces and nephews, parents in law, Lois and Dennis Reynolds, his faithful dog, Shadow, and countless friends who were more like family. In his memory, donations may be made to Greenfield Baptist Church 384 Fairmont Road, Gretna, VA 24557 or Altavista Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 208 Altavista, VA 24517. Our family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Joshua Morales, McLendon McGhee NP, and the kindhearted nurses and staff of Blue Ridge Cancer Care, to Dr. Niharika Mettu, Dr. Peter Alan, and Dr. Dan Blazer of Duke Cancer Center, and to our amazing hospice nurse, Mary Heath, whose care and compassion have been beyond measure and all of whom left no stone unturned in helping John receive life extending treatment. Knowing him, loving him, and being loved by him has truly been a gift. While we cannot imagine this world without him in it, we look forward to being together again, joyfully, on the other side. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Altavista Fire Company with the Rev. R. G. Rowland officiating. Finch and Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista is in charge of arrangements.

John Everette Tucker

November 26, 1969 - April 8, 2023