Obituary of Daniel Eugene Tucker

Daniel Eugene Tucker, 51, died suddenly on Friday, August 19, 2011. Dan attended St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Coralville and First Baptist Church at 500 N. Clinton St. in Iowa City, where his memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 3:00 p.m. Fr. Wally Helms and Pastor Dorothy Whiston will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to Uptown Bill’s Small Mall, 730 S Dubuque, Iowa City, IA 52240, MYEP, 407 Highland Ct., Iowa City, IA 52240 or Shelter House, 429 Southgate Ave., Iowa City, IA 52240. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Dan was born July 19, 1960 to Dallas Lee and Mary E. (Finger) Tucker. He grew up in Waterloo, IA, where he went to public schools before earning his high school diploma through Kirkwood Community College. He studied for two years with the Education for Ministry program of the School of the South. A skilled carpenter and jack-of-all-trades, Dan lived and worked most of the last 15 years in the Iowa City area. Dan loved people and had a special place in his heart for those in any kind of need. His greatest delight in life was in helping others. He had a contagious smile, was a wonderful story teller and made friends who truly cherished him wherever he went. Dan was a longtime friend of Bill W. and a frequent volunteer in the community with the Mayor’s Youth Empowerment Program, Uptown Bill’s Small Mall, Habitat for Humanity and other organizations. Dan loved to fish and camp, to ride his bike and do most anything outdoors. Dan is survived by a brother, Theodore (Debbie) Tucker of Waterloo, and two sisters, Linda (Daniel) Deutmeyer of Guttenberg, IA and Laura (Peter) Gajewski of The Woodlands, TX, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces, as well as by adopted family members Dorothy and John Whiston and many beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his older brother Matthew and his maternal and paternal grandparents. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting in Dan’s arrangements.