John E. Tucker was born in Altavista, Virginia, on November 26, 1969, to Malcolm Tucker and the late Mary Humphreys. John was a Christian, a devoted family man, and a volunteer firefighter. He made his career as a financial advisor for more than 30 years.

Evident by a large extended family of relations and friends from across the globe and from every walk of life, John never knew a stranger. He was a visionary whose passion for serving his community was boundless. His heart of service was evident in his 31 years of dedicated volunteer service and leadership with the Altavista Fire Company, where he first served as treasurer and then as chief of the department for 18 years. His service extended far beyond his hometown and county in his years of work through deployment as a national first responder with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team.

John and his wife, Denise, spent 35 years building their home, their life, and their family together. To say he was a dedicated father to his daughter, Faith Mari’, would be a huge understatement. She was his heart, his sidekick, and he loved her beyond measure. He found great joy in being a girl dad, a dance dad, a youth group dad, and a nurse dad. His son-in-law, Casey, was valued and loved as his own and was one of his best fishing buddies. The latest blessing was his grandson, Cooper, who he described as the sunshine in his days and the joy in his soul. John wore many hats, but his roles as husband, Dad, and Papaw were clearly his most cherished.

He found peace and solace in the great outdoors. He was a farmer, an avid hunter, a fisherman, and loved spending time outdoors with family and friends solving the problems of this world, laughing, sharing stores of days gone by and of dreams for the future.

His antics were legendary and those who knew him have their own stories to tell. He was a man of unwavering faith and conviction. He was nothing if not honest. He said what he meant, and he meant what he said. His body of this world may have struggled, but his spirit was stubbornly strong.

John lived graciously and courageously with cancer until the very end. He did not lose the battle. By inspiring and teaching us, he won the battle in many very important ways. Though the struggle was real, he remained a faithful warrior and servant through it all, forever reminding us to make a difference when and where we can.

Knowing him, loving him, and being loved by him has truly been a gift. While we cannot imagine this world without him in it, we look forward to being together again, joyfully, on the other side.