Clarence “Chuck” Tucker, 81, of Laurel, MD, succumbed to thyroid and lung cancer at Holy Cross Hospital surrounded by family members on September 10, 2017.

He is preceded in death by grandparents, Clarence and Ella Tucker on his Father’s side and William and Sadie Tucker on his mother’s side. He is also predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Hilda Tucker; his brothers, Joseph, Paige, and James; and his ex-wife, June.

He was born in Calvert County, MD on the 21st of November, 1935, and lived there until his enlistment in the US Air Force in 1953. A veteran of the Vietnam war, he worked in the USAF communications office until his retirement in 1970. His bravery during the War earned him a bronze star medal, among many other medals and ribbons for distinguished service, and he retired with honors from the US Air Force as a Staff Sergeant.

In his spare time, he loved to throw horseshoes and became quite good. “Dead Ringer” Tucker won numerous horseshoe tournaments while in the Air Force. He was an avid football fan and followed the San Francisco 49-ers when he lived in California and the Washington Redskins when he moved back to Maryland. He loved animals - all kinds.

Chuck was a proud and often stubborn man who fiercely loved his family. He and Jeanne had 3 cats - Lily, Emil, and Specky - and a dog, Henry. He was known to dote on them and gave special treats whenever the mood suited him. He also fed the backyard birds regularly and would yell at the squirrels when they tried to steal the best parts for themselves, But most of the family knew him for his sweet tooth - cookies, cakes, and pies - he loved them all and always had a “little something” saved away for later.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 33 years, Jeanne, along with six children; Chris and Susan McLeod of Fishers, Indiana, Nick and Cristine DiFilippo of Fishers, Indiana, Marti Toronto Miller and Scott Miller of Laurel, Maryland, Janet and Ed Crofton of Fishers Indiana, James and Stina Tucker of Sollentuna, Sweden, and Jennifer Tucker and Larry Taylor of Orchard Beach, Maryland; his fourteen grandchildren; Colin McLeod, Jason Toronto, Rachael Toronto, Evan Caldwell, Connor Crofton, Grant Caldwell, Reilly Crofton, Casey McLeod, Jack Crofton, Ava DiFilippo, Josefine Tucker, Eli DiFilippo, Madeleine Tucker and Felicia Tucker; his sister Jean Walker; and many other loving nieces, nephews and relatives.

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