Kenneth Everett Tucker, 91, died on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at his home in Memphis. He was born to Everett Monroe Tucker and Naomi Alford Tucker on January 7, 1921 at Tunas, Missouri. Kenneth was the oldest of three children including his brother Carl and his sister Beatryce. The family was engaged in agriculture on the family farm and lived in the Prairie Grove Community near Buffalo, Missouri. Kenneth attended school in Buffalo, graduating from Buffalo High School in 1939. He was called to active duty in the U.S. Army during WWII, serving with distinction in the South Pacific Solomon Island campaigns. As a member of an Army Medical Detachment, he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart during these campaigns and was discharged from the Army at the end of WWII in 1945 at the rank of Tech Sergeant. After WWII Kenneth returned to his home state of Missouri where he gained employment with the Lloyd A. Fry Roofing Company in Kansas City. This began a successful career in the roofing industry that spanned 60 years and also included positions with Owens Corning and TAMKO Roofing products. Kenneth was united in marriage to Pauline Fretz in Kansas City on July 12, 1953. They lived in Chicago and St. Louis before transferring to Memphis in 1960 where he was the Plant Manager of the Fry Roofing plant in North Memphis.

In Memphis, Kenneth and his wife became members of the Whitehaven Presbyterian Church and he faithfully attended this church for over 40 years. He served at different times on the Board of Deacons and as an usher. In 2008 he joined with the Providence Presbyterian Church in Southaven, Mississippi.

Kenneth's one hobby was his love of horses which he gained during his upbringing on the farm. He passed his love of horses on to his sons and grandchildren. Through the years he owned numerous horses at different times, keeping them in Desoto County. He was a long-time member of the Green Acres Saddle Club in Southaven and the Southern Amateur Saddle Club Association during the years that he and his sons showed horses in the area.

Kenneth was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Survivors include his loving wife, Pauline; sons Kenneth, Jr. and wife Tracie of Germantown, and Steve and wife Cathy of Collierville; grandchildren Allison (Tucker) McCulley and husband Shaun of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Benjamin Tucker of Starkville, MS, and Abigail Tucker of Collierville; his sister Beatryce (Tucker) Hersh of Platte City, MO; two step-grandsons, two nieces; one nephew; and many friends and former business associates.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Forest Hill Funeral Home South with interment to follow in Forest Hill Cemetery South. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.

Forest Hill Funeral Home South
346-3250