The Eternal Soldier

Mr. Ralph Tuck was born to the late Frank Tuck and the late Sallie Bessie Payne Tuck Robinson on November 18, 1931 in Alexander City “Alex City”, Alabama.  Ralph’s father died at an early age wherein he began to develop his tireless work ethic by the age of ten delivering newspapers in to financially help his mom, brothers, and sisters. 

Ralph was a star football player in high school who always and forever  loved basketball, baseball, golf, and the arts……drama, poetry, and music.  In fact, daddy’s love for different musical genres was passed down to his children.

Ralph had a fine intellect and knew that working in the steel mill of Alex City was not his destiny.  In the early 1950’s Ralph made a decision which would totally change the trajectory of his life; he joined the United States Army and in his early years of service worked in military psych wards. It was during his early service years, while stationed in El Paso, Texas that he met another military service member……his “wife for life”, Jeridine “Jerry” Tuck nee Fells who was in the Women’s Army Corps (WACS) and into their marital union were born Natalie, Ramona, Rennick, Ahmal, and Leah. The family was stationed in Chignon, France and later in San Antonio, TX.  Ralph eventually chose Beaumont, Texas, his wife’s hometown, as the place for his family to finally live a civilian life.  Ralph became a military sergeant who worked as an army medic, serving two tours of duty in Viet Nam while his wife reared the children in Beaumont. 

When Ralph retired from the military he returned to Beaumont and joined the iconic Sunlight Baptist Church under the guidance of The Reverend G.W. Daniels where he became a faithful member, deacon, and church treasurer for over four decades. 

He entered his next career as a letter carrier for the United States Post Office for two decades into his seventies (he loved his co-workers there as well). 

First, Ralph Tuck was a true lover of God first (inclusive of his Sunlight and Alabama church families).  Secondly, he held a deep love and true concern for both his Texas and Alabama families and friends. Third, “Tuck” respected and served his country . Mr. Tuck was an extraordinarily strong man of integrity, principle, and courage.  Ralph Tuck loved being a well-groomed and well-dressed man, a trait that started at a noticeably youthful age until his death.  Mr. Tuck loved nice vehicles, watching “The Price Is Right” and “The Wheel of Fortune,” and eating on Saturdays at Golden Corral where he was always treated like royalty.  Mr. Ralph Tuck was a model son to his beloved mother Sallie B., a much beloved, kind and giving brother to his brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law  (The Akers Family).  Deacon Tuck was a loving, concerned, and wise grandfather and great-grandfather. 

Ralph was a very dependable and loving uncle to all of his nieces and nephews, and a loving, stable husband and father to his wife and children – he was a GREAT Provider who wanted the very BEST for his children’s futures. It was an adventure of a lifetime with our  Daddy  even when his health began to challenge him in these very last few years, he kept his schedules, visited the sick, and kept driving where he needed to go on his own.  He was a real man who “did his part” as they say.  He was the Dallas Cowboys” and “The Alabama Rolling Tides’ Number 1 Fan for Life! 

Mr. Tuck taught anyone who knew him how to live and not die unless it was in the service of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Salute, Soldier!!!! We know God will one day say to you, “Well done, my True and Faithful Servant, Well done!” Thank you, Bessie, for everything!

Ralph transitioned from his earthly labor to begin his heavenly reward on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont. 

A precious life will be missed by his wife, Jeridine Tuck; son, Rennick Christopher Tuck; daughters, Dr. Natalie Christine Bonner nee Tuck, Ramona Lynn Young nee Tuck, Dr. Ahmal Renee Tuck and Leah Francis B. Tuck; brothers, Glenn Robinson (Lucille) and Emmitt Robinson; sister, Pearlie Mae Ford; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

On Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church there will be a visitation at 9 a.m. followed by the Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. for Ralph Tuck, a life well lived, officiated by the Pastor E. J. James of St. John Baptist Church of Port Arthur, Texas. Ralph will take his earthly rest at the National VA Cemetery in Houston, Texas with military honors.