Eddie Tucker

Eddie Bill Tucker

Jet -- Funeral Service for Eddie Bill Tucker, 94, will be Monday, November 26, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Jet, Oklahoma. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Cherokee.  www.lanmanmemorials.com     Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

Eddie Bill was born on August 4, 1924 on the family farm outside of Jet to Val Duncan Tucker and Hazel Emily Thomas Tucker. He passed from this life on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 in Enid with loved ones present.

After graduating from Jet High School in 1942, Eddie Bill attended the University of Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner!) where he was a member of the Drama Club, OU marching band and intramural boxing. As a young man in Jet, he was part owner of the local movie theater. He later was an instructor at Gage Schools and after graduating with a Master’s Degree from Phillips University, he became principal of the Jet School District and also gave elocution lessons to children in surrounding communities. After accepting a position as an investigator for the federal government, Eddie Bill traveled the United States on assignments and was promoted to investigator in charge of the Tulsa Duty Station and later the Oklahoma City Duty Station before his retirement. Eddie Bill married Carolie Van Osdol on September 7, 1951 at the Jet United Methodist Church, and they had three children: Mary, Tom and Kay.

Eddie Bill was an active leader in the community. He was a member of the Jet United Methodist Church, the Joy Club, Levi & Lace Square Dance Club, a 32° Mason of the Masonic Lodge No. 307, the Jet Lion’s Club, the American Legion and he served on the Alfalfa County Conservation District Board. He enjoyed working outside, tending to his garden, playing games with family, helping elderly neighbors and telling jokes. He made the most delicious bacon gravy and amazed his grandchildren with his ability to recite the spookiest of tales.

Survivors include his three children, Mary Byrd and husband, Chuck of Enid, Tom Tucker and wife, Susan of Jet and Kay Troutt and husband, Jeff of Helena; seven grandchildren, Sarah Holloway, Rachel and Chris Strunk, Adam and Amanda Tucker, Megan and Jeremy Hickman, Jill and Taylor Schwerdtfeger, Jasmine and Spencer Bryant, Coy and Haley Troutt; thirteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Betty Tucker; cousin, Roberta Patton; six nieces, Christie Castle Ballard, Jean Castle Tarrant, Janet Castle Roper, Kimberly Castle Miller, Anita Tucker Jordan and Angela Tucker Rouege.

Those who preceded Eddie Bill in death include his wife, Carolie; his parents; his brothers, Val Junior Tucker and Eugene Tucker.