Frederick Matthew Tucker, 54, of Las Cruces died November 12, 2010 at La Posada – Mesilla Valley Hospice after a yearlong battle with esophagus cancer. He was born April 16, 1956 in Roseburg, Oregon to John and Leta Tucker, and grew up in Eugene and Medford, Oregon. Fred married Kathy Shannon of Las Cruces in 1979 and resided in Portland, Oregon during the time that Mt. St. Helens erupted. In August 1980 they moved to Medford where he worked with his father in the family trucking business, and where their two girls, Heather and Holly were born. In 1987 the family moved to Las Cruces where Fred was employed by the Greenhouse, Inc. and later opened Tucker Automotive.
Fred was master mechanic who could diagnose and repair any automobile, truck or eighteen-wheeler. He was a skilled welder, fabricator and could build a high performance racecar engine. Fred was a dedicated father who took his girls camping/backpacking, fishing, four- wheeling in his yellow jeep, and countless other adventures. He had a passion for NASCAR and racing his IMCA Modified at the Southern NM Speedway.
Survivors include his two girls, Heather (30) and Holly Tucker (26), and his first grandson, one year old Allen Tucker all of Las Cruces; stepmother, Anna Tucker of Medford, Oregon; grandmother, Gwen Taube; brothers, Jim and Glenn Tucker; sister, Joyce Tucker and niece, Ericka Tucker all of Oregon. Others dear to Fred, and who will miss him greatly are Melissa Maddox and her three girls, Nicole, Shelby and Jasmine. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Leta (Cox) Tucker, and his beloved grandmother, Delia Wilkens Tucker Warmoth.
The family would like to thank Randy and Cindy Farmer for all their help and support during Fred's illness. At his request, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at 10 AM Friday, November 26, 2010 at the Sonoma Springs Presbyterian Church, 3940 Sonoma Springs Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88011.
Arrangements entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces 527-2222. Exclusive providers for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences log on to www.bacasfuneralchapels.com
Read More
