AVIS GREEN TUCKER

Avis Green Tucker, 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 17, 2010, at her home in Kansas City, Missouri. Prior to moving to Kansas City in 1999, she lived on her farm, the Sunrise Farm, in Centerview, MO, and was the owner and publisher of The Daily Star Journal in Warrensburg for 44 years. A private burial service will be held at Forest Hills Cemetery. Born July 30, 1915, in Concordia, Kansas, to Ralph J and Nellie Green, she graduated from the University of Missouri which started a lifetime of championing the Tigers and being active in her sorority Kappa Alpha Theta. Avis married William Tucker, who owned and published The Daily Star Journal until his own death in 1966. They both loved the newspaper business and enjoyed life on Sunrise Farm populating it with Clydesdales, buffalo and llamas. After her husband's death, she made a choice to succeed him at The Daily Star Journal. Her leadership not only allowed for the continued success of the newspaper but also led to invitations to join many other organizations, such as the National Press Association, the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Associated Dailies. Avis has long been active with the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Associated Dailies including serving as President of both. Her editorial philosophy highlighted independence and the obligation to serve the community through the paper. Her fellow colleagues recognized her contributions to the profession when she became the first woman inducted into the Missouri Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1992. She was also the first woman president of the University of Missouri Board of Curators. Avis holds honorary degrees awarded by the University of Missouri, Central Missouri State, William Jewell and William Wood. The School of Journalism at the University of Missouri awarded her its medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism. She also served as Chair of UtiliCorp United and as member of the board of United Telecom, as well as the non- profit board of Children's Mercy Hospital and a Trustee of the University of Missouri Kansas City, She was appointed to serve on the first Missouri Gaming Commission and was active in the State Historical Society. Selected for inclusion in Show Me Missouri Women it was noted that she enriches people and community with her smile, her character, her scholarship, and her presence. Avis always considered her family her greatest blessing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Nellie Green, her twin brother Aris, her brother Richard and her husband William C. Tucker. She is survived by her sister-in-law Ann Green Mahurin and her husband Jack, her nieces Suzanne Stevens, and Pamela Wheeler and her husband, Harry, her nephews, Richard Green and his wife Nancy, and Robert Green and his wife Julie. She is also survived by seven grandnieces and four grandnephews. The Green family extends their special thanks to her caregivers Bessie Williams and Jessica Sanders. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Avis G. and William C. Tucker Endowment at the University of Missouri Alumni Center, 109 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com. (Arr.: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, KCMO 64109, 816-931-7777.) D