Published in Merced Sun Star from Mar. 3 to Mar. 5, 2015

Randall Douglas Tucker
Sept. 16, 1953 - Feb. 21, 2015

Randall Douglas Tucker, 61, of Atwater, California, succumbed to cancer in his home in the presence of family on February 21, 2015.

Randy was the first to tell you how extremely proud he was of his daughters Melissa (Robert) Vernuccio and Jennifer (Jeremy) White, and his 4 grandchildren (Devin, Emily, Kaelyn and Liliana) whom he referred to as his angels.

Randy was also survived by his mother Janis Tucker, sisters Jama Allen and Kristi (Bob) Young, and 2 nephews Jimmy Allen and Bobby Young.

He had a life-long love affair with camping by the river with childhood friends, Wayne and Marianne Walker, long rides in the country, magnets from every place he'd ever been and then some, Star Trek, peanut butter cookies, lottery tickets, Pepsi, Coors Light and of course, lots of laughter. He took life as it came, head on, no fear, always saying "it is what it is".

Randy, though born in Wichita, Kansas, was a long time resident of Merced, having graduated from Merced High School. Randy served proudly in the US Army as a surveyor until a medical discharge. In addition to being a land surveyor, his chosen profession was a plumber for much of his life. With his love for the mountains, Randy was also a resident of the Twain Harte area for several years.

Randy was preceded in death by his father Harold (Ray) Tucker, brother Jerry Tucker, brother-in-law Jerry Allen and niece Ronda Tucker.

A special thank you to his sister Jama and Bristol Hospice of Merced for their loving care and support in his final struggles. Also thank you to Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home for all of the arrangements.

Randy will be interred at 10:30am on March 6, 2015 at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, California 95620.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on March 8, 2015 at the Masonic Lodge, 800 Rose Avenue, Modesto, California 95355.

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers in Randy's memory to any organization that helps those in need such as cancer associations and veterans.

The family also requests that the next time you are in a hurry to slow down and enjoy life as Randy did, take the long way home and raise a Coors Light to another day of life and the opportunity to enjoy it with each other.

Guest Book:

"I will always love and miss you Dad! You will always be in my heart."
~ Jennifer White, Modesto, California

Our time was cut way too short, but I will forever cherish the time we had. I will love you and miss you always Dad.
~ Melissa Vernuccio, Folsom, California

I will always be thankful we shared your last days together. You will forever live in my heart. I love you.
~ Jama Allen

http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/mercedsunstar/randall-tucker-condolences/174296829?cid=full#storylink=cpy

www.cvobituaries.com

Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home
1490 B Street, Merced, CA 95340

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The Patriot Guard Riders
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?400615

When: 6 March 2015

The family of US Army Veteran Randall Douglas Tucker has requested the Patriot Guard Riders to stand for and escort him from his family home in Modesto California to Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon California. The Patriot Guard Riders are honored to do so.

Randall joined the Army on Nov 1, 1980, served honorably and was discharged on July 01, 1982. Randall is survived by his daughter's Melissa Vernuccio and Jennifer White among other relatives.

The Mission: PGR will proceed to a private residence in Modesto to set up a flag line as the Urn is transferred from the home to the family vehicle.

We will escort the family vehicle to Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon for final honors for Pfc Tucker.

Expected time of arrival at SVNC is 1000 hours. Services to begin at 1030 hours. Riders will form a flag line at the SVNC Honor Site. At the completion of the honors rendered, riders will be dismissed.

Brief: 0730

KSU: 0745 enroute to the family home

R/C: Craig Hicks

AR/C: Mark Tury

Safety Ofc: John Silva