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Thomas Lovell Tucker, 74

Thomas Lovell Tucker, 74, of Sweet Home, Ore., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. He was born in Amarillo, Texas, on May 6, 1943, to Lovell and Dorothy (Gibson) Tucker.

He served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Japan, Vietnam, Alaska and Head-quarters Strategic Air Command (SAC) in Nebraska, as well as a liaison to SAC in Denver, Colo. He retired after 20 years.

He was a member of the American Legion 40/8 and a life member of the Sweet Home Vets Club.

Thomas loved latch hook rugs, baseball (especially the Seattle Mariners), gardening, growing his roses, strategy computer games and model ship building. He also enjoyed many outdoor activities while stationed at Eielson Air Force Base, including hunting, fishing and running a trapline at 40 degrees below zero.

He collected frogs, which his family and friends contributed to. His frog, “Bear,” went everywhere with him.

He called his granddaughter, Stasha, “Fred,” when her mother was expecting. She remained “Fred” to Tom. Stasha named her son, Tom’s great-grandson, Frederick “Fred II” Garcia (2 months old).

Thomas is survived by his wife, Sherral “Sherry” (Hirschi) Tucker, of Sweet Home; children, David (Mary), Daryel (Sandi), both of San Antonio, Texas; siblings, Diane Reeves, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Richard and his wife, Bonnie Tucker, of Hayden, Idaho; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lovell and Dorothy Tucker.

A memorial service with military honors was held on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, at Sweet Home Evangelical Church.