John Thomas "Tom" Tucker

August 29, 1929 - July 13, 2021

John Thomas Tucker died on July 13, 2021 at the age of 91 after a life well lived. A Louisville native, Tom graduated from Manual High School, attended the University of Louisville, served in the U.S. Army, returned to college and graduated from the University of Kentucky. He worked at Rock Creek Riding Club for a brief time and was the co-owner of Tee Square Thoroughbred Company. A 34-year career followed in public and external affairs for Bell South where he served as district manager in Danville, Cynthiana, Shelbyville and Winchester. Those years were filled with volunteer and community activities: President of the Cynthiana Lions Club and Businessman’s Group, Session and choir member of the Cynthiana and Shelbyville Presbyterian churches, actor in seven plays at the Shelby County Community Theatre, President of the Shelbyville Rotary Club, board member of the Shelby County Red Cross, President of the University of Kentucky National Alumni Association and recipient of its Distinguished Service Award. On the state level, Tom was president of the GED Foundation for Adult Education and Co-Chairman of Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear’s “Kentucky Tomorrow” project. After retiring, he founded the “Book Buddies” Program at the Public Library in Winchester and over a ten-year period, delivered books to homebound residents. For his efforts, he twice received the Winchester Volunteer of the Year award. An avid golfer, he played into his 80’s and went on fishing trips until he was 90. He loved the outdoors, gardening, a good mystery story, bird watching, hiking in state and national parks, traveling, visiting museums, attending concerts, watching UK games and spending time with family and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents The Reverend Fred G. Tucker and Alice Johnson Tucker. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Anne Stanley Hoffman, sister Patricia Chatten (Robert) of Arlington, VA, brothers Fred Tucker, Jr. of Louisville (Carolyn), William Tucker (Jane) of Raleigh, NC, and Ernest Tucker (Sandy) of Ashland, KY, daughter Lindsay Godbey (Ben) of Louisville, sons Lance Tucker (Jill) of Nashville and Leo Tucker (Rachel) of Atlanta, stepchildren Tracey and Stuart (Nancy) of Louisville, and eight grandchildren Katie, Ben and Andie Tucker of Nashville, Bailey, Jordan and Allyn of Atlanta and Sam and Emery Godbey of Louisville, Tom willed his body to the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, July 23 at Pearson’s, 149 Breckenridge Lane, from 4·7 p.m. A private funeral is scheduled the next day. In lieu of flowers, please donate of one of the following: the Louisville Free Public Library, 301 York St., Louisville, KY 40203, Clark County Public Library, 370 Burns Ave., Winchester, KY 40391 or the UK Alumni Association, 400 Rose SI., Lexington, KY 40506