Thomas M. Tucker

SIOUX CITY | Thomas M. Tucker, 67, of Sioux City died Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, at his home surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Services will be noon Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with the Rev. Merlin Schrad officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Tom was born Oct. 25, 1946, in Alice, Texas, the son of Mitchel and Mary Lou (Phillips) Tucker. He grew up and graduated from high school in Mesquite, Texas. While attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas his draft number was chosen, so he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1968. In 1969, he married Sandra Ourada. To that union two children were born, Steven and Stacey. During the Vietnam conflict, Tom was a pararescue and recovery specialist and served five tours of duty there. He continued his career with the Air Force with more than 20 years of service and retired as a recruiter. He then became self-employed with ABC Services in business consulting. For the past 13 years Tom has shared his life with his wife, Pat Krage. He was a member of Triangle Masonic Lodge 643, Scottish Rite and Abu Bekr Shrine Temple. He was an active volunteer in the community and previously volunteered for the North Plains Boxer Association. He attended Blessed Sacrament Church. Survivors include his wife, Pat; his children, Steven Tucker and his wife, Rachel of Venango, Neb., Stacey Lewis and her husband, Brian of Searcy, Ark., April Kasperbauer and her husband, Ryan of Arnolds Park, Iowa, and Allison Krage of Cape Coral, Fla.; a brother, Phillip Tucker of Denton, Texas; and eight grandchildren, Michael, Tyler, Kylie, Trevyn, David, Nathan, Griffin and Ella. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Cora Tucker. Pallbearers will be Jon Sheridan, Mike Sheridan, Ryan Kasperbauer, Steve Krage, Jack Krage and Ray Olejniczak. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Tucker, Phillip Tucker, Sam Krage and Ron Krage. Memorials may be made in his name to Blessed Sacrament Church or Hospice of Siouxland.