INDIAN LAND, SC:::::The world darkened as the light of my life, my beloved husband, best friend and soulmate, Carl Richard Tucker, left his earthly bonds on November 13, 2016. Married April 26, 1989, we were blessed with many years of living, loving, travel and exploring life together.
Carl was born September 25, 1938 in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Martha and Carl P. Tucker. Upon the death of his biological father, he came to love and admire his stepfather, Newell (Buster) P. Hall, who raised him to manhood in the quaint New England mill town of Woronoco, where he enjoyed an idyllic life. A beautiful town with lush forest and the sound of rushing water in which a young boy could leap from rocks into the lake below and foster dreams of what lies beyond its shore.
In 1957 Carl enjoyed a three year stint in the US Army where he excelled in the Artillery Division. Upon his return to the states, his then wife, Lynda, would bless him with two beautiful children, Gregg and Lori, whom he loved dearly.
In 1973 he realized his boyhood dream of obtaining his private pilot license. For many years he savored the joy and freedom of flight and shared many stories of his adventures with friends and fellow pilots. He is truly thankful to his favorite flight instructor, mentor and friend, Russ Whiting, for all the shared memories.
His career in designing and building fabric finishing systems led him to various high level positions in several textile companies.
Carl is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Janice Tucker; his loving daughter, Lori Thomas and husband Danny of Virginia; loving son, Gregg Tucker and wife Dawn of Wisconsin; sister, Natalie Craig and husband Gordon of Massachusetts; cousin, Carol Cella of Massachusetts; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A special sincere debt of gratitude to Hospice & Palliative Care, Palmetto Region in Fort Mill, SC, without whose merciful care, this journey would have been even more difficult.
A Celebration of Carls Life, especially his love of all things flight, will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Friday, December 2, 2016 at the Carolinas Aviation Museum, 4672 First Flight Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208.
Burgess Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family, 803/283-2100. Family has requested that in lieu of flowers, a contribution be sent to the USO of North Carolina, 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway, Box #21, Charlotte, NC 28208.