Charles Thomas Tucker, Sr

Charles Thomas Tucker, Sr., 79 years old, peacefully passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Center for Hospice Care Raclin House in Mishawaka, IN.

Charles was born on November 14, 1945 in West Terre Haute, IN to the late Charles Oscar Tucker and Lottie Ann (Walker) Robinson. On June 12, 1965 in Terre Haute, Charles married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” (De Weese), who survives. Along with his parents, Charles is preceded in death by his son, Charles Thomas Tucker Jr.

Left to cherish their memories, Charles is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Tucker; daughter, Christine (Steven) Cooke; grandson, M. Christopher (Kimberley) Prothero; great-grandsons, Alexander Prothero and Owen Prothero; sister, Sue Ellen (Robert) Rogers; brothers, Ted Robinson and Jimmie (Penny) Robinson; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Charles was a 1964 graduate of Terre Haute Gerstmeyer Technical High School, who proudly volunteered to serve his country in the United States Air Force. Stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, he specialized in creating training materials for pilots heading to Vietnam. Returning to Terre Haute in 1969 with Betty and their young children, he began his career as an electrical estimator with Potter Electric. He rejected retirement because he truly enjoyed his work, spending his last few years with Barth Electric in Indianapolis. 

In addition to his work, Charles was a handyman who could design, build or repair almost anything. He enjoyed many hobbies, including carpentry, wood turning, photography, painting, and mushroom hunting. Charles loved everything about Notre Dame’s men’s and women’s basketball; as a 35+ year season ticket holder, would often drive a couple of hours just to attend games if he was working out of town.  He also worked as an usher for Notre Dame football if he wasn’t working on a bid. When he wasn’t working, watching his great-grandsons perform with the band or play hockey, or traveling in his RV, he could be found watching cowboy movies with his beloved German Shepherd by his side

Visitation for Charles will be from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at St. Joseph Funeral Home 824 S Mayflower Rd. South Bend, IN 46619. Burial with Military Honors will take place 10:00am Friday, February 21, 2025 at Marion National Cemetery, 1700 E 38th St, Marion, IN 46953.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project (woundedwarriorproject.org)  or Tunnels to Towers (t2t.org).

Online condolences can be made at sjfh.net.

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