Robert Lee Tucker, 84, of Festus died Feb. 23, 2019, at his home. Mr. Tucker was a teacher in the Festus R-6 School District and retired as the district’s superintendent in 1989. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was member of First United Methodist Church, Shekinah Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies of St. Louis, VFW Post 3777 and was a past president of the Festus-Crystal City Rotary Club. He served on the Festus City Council and the Festus Public Library Board, and received the Twin City Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Service Award. Born June 3, 1934, in Arbyrd, he was the son of the late Minta Amanda Jane (Long) and Lloyd Francis Tucker.
He is survived by his wife: Ruth (Sims) Tucker; two daughters: Janetta (Greg) McCreary of Festus and Patricia (Eric) Verzola of Lansing, Kan.; nine grandchildren: Kelli and Megan Lippert, Emily McCreary and Durante, Lucia, Abra, Vianney, Francisco and Avila Verzola; three great-grandchildren: Sofia Griffin and Kyla and Tucker Bremer; two sisters-in-law: Deronda Tucker of Paragould, Ark., and Ruby Tucker of Ellsinore; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by four sisters: Genevieve (the late Claude) Holligan, Doris Tucker, June (the late Joe) Lewis and Evadene (the late Tom) Spain; and four brothers: George (Rosie) Tucker, Carrol (the late Reba) Tucker, Burnell Tucker and Randall (the late Virginia) Tucker.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, and from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at First United Methodist Church of Festus-Crystal City, 113 Grand Ave., in Festus, followed immediately by funeral services officiated by Pastor Tish Green. Burial will be in Gamel Cemetery in Festus. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church food pantry or the Festus Public Library Foundation. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.