James Jackson "Jimmy" Tucker Jr.

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James “Jim, Jimmy” Jackson Tucker Jr., 79, passed from this world March 22, 2026 at 6:33 am at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville following open heart surgery.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Jim was born November 4, 1946 in Columbia, TN to the late James Jackson Tucker Sr. and the late Vena Pearl Howell Tucker. As a youngster playing baseball was his favorite past time that followed him throughout his life having played with the traveling team for Union Carbide. He was a 1964 graduate of Columbia Central High School. He began employment at Union Carbide that same year and retired 35 years later to assist his father in Jim’s Overhead Door Company, Jim took over the company at his father’s passing in 1989. Jim’s company served all of Maury County and surrounding counties until his death. Jim served as an official umpire for baseball, football, and basketball games for thirty years. He enjoyed watching and cheering on the University of Tennessee football. He was also proud Pawpaw and loved cheering on his grandson, Garrett who played on UT’s rugby team. He also loved watching NASCAR races and traveling.

Jim is survived by his wife Lilyan Joyce Kelly Tucker of Columbia whom he married on July 16, 2021; daughter, Cynthia Tucker/Salas (Arthur Escueta); step children, Sandra Phipps, Brenda Hallmark, Dorothy “Dottie” Menko, David Miller, Darren Darnell, and Kristi Darnell; two grandchildren, Olivia Salas and Garrett Salas; several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren including Juliana Ford and her father Calvin Ford; three sisters, Vanella Hardiman, Patricia Counts, and Pam (Joe) Christopher; two brothers, Joe Frank Tucker and Tommy Tucker; nine nieces and nephews and ten great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his second wife Wanda Howell Tucker on November 20, 2019; grandparents, Frank and Louise Tucker and Joe and Jennie Howell.

Pallbearers will be Roger Kelly, Steve Castleberry, Ricky Elliott, Joe Steward, Gene Smith, and Arthur Escueta. Honorary pallbearers will be former ball players that he coached over the years.