WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA – Larry D. Tucker, Sr. of Winter Haven passed away Friday, September 18, 2009 at Winter Haven Hospital from complications of cancer. He was 69 years old. A native of Winter Haven, born December 9, 1939, Larry has spent his entire life as an Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, giving back to the community that he loved so much.
He and his brother, J.R. “Doc”, started Tucker Construction and Engineering, Inc. in 1960, and he served as CEO. Larry was also CEO of Tucker Paving, Inc.; Tucker Carpets, Inc.; Concrete Construction Services, Inc.; and Hand Picked of Winter Haven, Inc. Larry was Past Chairman of the Board and served 18 years on the Mid Florida Medical Services/Winter Haven Hospital; Chairman of the Board – Mid Florida Medical Services Foundation; Past Chairman of Polk Community College Foundation Board; Corporate Chairman for American Cancer Society. Larry also was a past board member of: Suntrust Bank; Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce; Citrus Center Boys Club; Theatre of Winter Haven; Winter Haven Junior Chamber of Commerce; Haines City Citrus Growers Association; Boy Scouts of America Leadership; Past Director of First Florida Bank, serving as Chairman of the Executive Committee; Past President of the Winter Haven Builders Association; Past Area Vice-President of Florida Home Builders Association. He received: The Florida Junior Colleges Student Government Association “Bob Graham” Community College distinguished Service Award; The Banker’s Cup Man of the Year Award in 1994; the Vision Award from Mid Florida Medical Services in 2006; 1986 Gold Cup of Industry Award (Committee of 100); Community Service Award from the Winter Haven Rotary Club. He was deputized by Sheriff Grady Judd as an Honorary Deputy Sheriff for Polk County Sheriff’s Department in 2009. He was a member of Lake Region Yacht & Country Club; member of Grace Lutheran Church of which he served on the Board of Elders and Finance committee . An avid Gator fan, Larry was a member of the University of Florida Boosters Association; member of the University of Florida Booster Board; and a 21 year Bull Gator. He also enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family.
Larry was predeceased by his parents: Morgan Lee & Bertie Mae Tucker; his sisters: Sybil Tucker & Margaret Sapp, and his brothers: Chester Tucker & Wallace Tucker. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Elizabeth “Bet” Tucker; his children: Larry D. “Chip” Tucker, Jr. and his wife Jennifer; Christie Tucker Eddy and her husband Bob; and Morgan Bradley Tucker; his grandchildren: Larry Dale “Barret” Tucker, III; Emily Sarah Tucker; Lauren Alexandra Eddy; and Morgan Christie Eddy; his brother: J.R. “Doc” Tucker and his wife Eugenia of Winter Haven; his sister: Betty Allen of Titusville, Florida, and his sister-in-law: Mary Tucker of Winter Haven.
Visitation will be held at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven on Tuesday from 5 to 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Winter Haven, Wednesday at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Rolling Hills Cemetery. A reception for the family will be held at the church following the graveside committal.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Winter Haven Hospital Foundation, or the Polk State College Foundation. Condolences to the family can be made to: www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.
