TuckerRoyisA graveside funeral service for Royis Tucker, age 79, of Early, will be at 11:00 AM, Monday July 29, 2013 in the St. John’s Cemetery in Priddy.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.

Heartland Funeral Home of Early is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Tucker died Thursday, July 25, 2013 in a Brownwood nursing facility.

Royis Dearle Tucker was born on February 13, 1934 in Rising Star to Sterlin and Cloia Larkin Tucker.  He accepted the Lord when he was 12 years old during a revival at Hodnett Grove, Texas.  He graduated from Rising Star High School in 1952.  He attended the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden Academy at Texas A&M University and was commissioned as a State Game Warden in 1962.  His first assignment was in Howard and Mitchell counties.  In 1968 he transferred to Hamilton County and in 1975 he was promoted to district supervisor and was transferred to the Brownwood regional office.  He retired from TPWD on October 31, 1991.

After his retirement, he was actively involved in the Tucker Brothers Farm operation in Eastland County.  He also restored and pulled antique John Deere tractors.

On October 20, 1972, he married Ann Bufe of Hamilton, Texas.

Royis was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Wade Earl Tucker and a brother-in-law, Wesley Duke.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ann Tucker of Early, two sisters, Delois Duke of Fort Worth and Carolyn Green and husband Clifford of Bangs; two brothers, Berney Tucker and wife Norma of Cross Plains and Dickie Tucker and wife Faye of Lewisville; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean and Milton Bottlinger of Hamilton and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Early First United Methodist Church, PO Box 3281, Early, 76803 or to a favorite charity.

The family would like to give a special thank you to doctors David Smith and Christopher Stephens, the Brownwood Clinic staff, and Oak Ridge Manor for their excellent care.

Condolences can be offered to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.