Harlingen:
Albert (Bert) R. Tucker, 70, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at his residence in Harlingen after fighting cancer for many years.
Bert was born on January 20, 1939, the youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Tucker. His maternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. E. A. Shelton were charter members of the First Baptist Church in Harlingen. His paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. T.J. Tucker were pioneer residents of the Beeville-Sinton area, and had the first white child born in Bee County, Texas.
Bert was raised in Harlingen and was a 1957 graduate of Harlingen. He was a talented artist and he graduated from the Memphis School of Art in Tennessee where he majored in interior design and work with enamels. Some of his original enamel design pieces were shown in the Memphis Museum and the Cleveland Museum of Modern Art.
Bert lived eleven years on South Padre Island where he did interior design and property management for his uncle the late, A.B. Shelton of Abilene, TX. Bert retired to Harlingen in 2000 and dedicated himself to the study of his Christian Science Faith. He developed an extensive collection of the works of local artist, Tony Bennet and the works of Mexican artist and sculptor, Sergio Bustamonte.
He is survived by his two brothers, Dr. John R. Tucker, MD (Joyce) of San Benito and Dr. Thomas A. Tucker (Carolyn) of San Antonio, TX; nephews, John Madison Tucker of Harlingen, Shelton Scott Tucker of Austin, TX, Davis Sean Tucker of Austin, TX, Troy Lee Tucker (Angie) of San Antonio, TX, Terry Don Tucker (Jennifer) of Waco, TX; niece, Jantha Dianne Tucker of Austin, TX; great-nephew, Thomas Albert Tucker of San Antonio, TX; great-nieces, Tiffany Jean Tucker of San Antonio, TX and Alexandria Storm Tucker of Waco, TX.
Visitation hours for Bert will be from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the family receiving from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, March 26, 2009 at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be private.
The family request that those desiring to do so may make memorial donations to the First Baptist Church-Harlingen, c/o Building Fund, 501 E. Van Buren, Harlingen, Texas 78550.
Bert will be remembered as someone who was a talented, kind and generous soul. He will be missed by all who knew him.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, Florence Walney, Nora H. Villarreal and Griselda Sotero and Odyssey Healthcare for their loving care.
The family invites you to sign or leave a condolence for Bert at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.