Don Tucker

Ret. Army Col. Don Boyden Tucker, 90, peacefully joined our mother, Carol Lou James, on February 18, 2026. Don will be missed by his children, his church family, his friends, and his community.

Don was born in Laurel Springs, NC, on October 9, 1935, to Cleo Jean Shepherd Tucker and James Monroe Tucker. Don was the youngest of four siblings, Jimro Tucker and Nanny Lee Tucker (both deceased) and Mae Tucker Robbins, of Boone, NC.

Don attended NC State University, receiving his BS in Animal Husbandry in 1957. At NC State, he was in the Army ROTC and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant from the ROTC program. While awaiting his military assignment, Don demonstrated milking machines across the country for the Chicago Surge Milking Machine Company, later working in east Tennessee as their district manager. He then reported to active duty service in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, continuing his service by joining the Army Reserve and serving for over 20 years out of both Jonesboro and Winston-Salem, NC, retiring as a full Colonel.

Don also became a postal carrier in Ashe County for many years, and was one of the earliest Christmas tree growers in Ashe County. Don married Carol in 1964, with four children appearing in quick succession. Together, Don and Carol grew their Christmas Tree farm, and when Don retired from carrying the mail and the Army Reserves, Tucker Tree Farms became his full time work.

Don was active in his church, Laurel Fork Presbyterian, a charter member of the Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department, a charter member of the Peak Creek Ruritan Club, past president of the Ashe County Farm Bureau Association, on the NC Farm Bureau State Board of Directors for many years and a member of the NC Christmas Tree Association.

Don is survived by his four children, Donna Tucker Petherbridge (Martin) of Garner, NC; David James Tucker (Mackie Lee Brown) of Boone, NC; Deborah Tucker Sessoms (Richard) of Smithfield, VA; and Della Tucker Deal (Buddy) of Laurel Springs, NC; nine grandchildren, two sister-in-laws, many nieces and nephews, numerous friends and church members.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 27 from 4 - 7pm at Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson, NC. A funeral service will be held at Boone Family Funeral Home from 11am - noon on Saturday, February 28, followed immediately by a graveside service at the Tucker-Austin Family Cemetery in Laurel Springs. Family members and invited close friends are welcome to attend the graveside service, with fellowship afterwards at the Barn and Branch at Cranberry Creek Farms in Laurel Springs, NC.

In addition to flowers, the family requests that donations in Don's memory go to one of the following organizations: Generations Ashe, https://asheaging.com/, Alleghany Cares, or the Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department (LSVFD, PO Box 21, Laurel Springs, 28644).