James Hale Adams Tucker

James Hale Adams Tucker, 79, of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 20, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betsy Sue Parrott Tucker. He was born December 10, 1932, in Grand Glaise, Arkansas, to the late Herschel Ashley Tucker and Genevieve Davidson Tucker. His family and friends referred to him as "the most gentlemanly man they had every known." Mr. Tucker graduated from Newport High School in 1949. He attended Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in architecture from the University of Arkansas in 1955 and a Masters of Science degree in civil engineering from Memphis State University in 1970. Mr. Tucker's career began in Arkansas where he was a manager of operations for the H.A. Tucker Construction Company and the H.A. Tucker Farms. He later joined the U.S. Corps of Engineers in Memphis, Tenn. He transferred to the U.S. Corps of Engineers in Sacramento, Calif. and was assigned to the Phoenix, Ariz. office. While in Phoenix, he managed major projects at Fort Hauchuca, Ariz. and Riverside, Calif. His service in the U.S. Corps of Engineers spanned 27 years. He was an avid outdoor sportsman, and he and his wife Betsy traveled the US in their Airstream. However, no matter where he lived or traveled, Arkansas and especially Jackson County were always considered home and very dear to his heart. In addition to his wife, Betsy, he is survived by his sister, Mary Beth Tucker of Fairfield Bay, Ark.; his brother, and sister-in-law, Bill and Kathryn Tucker, Dallas, Texas; nephews, Billy Fred Tucker and wife Karen of Heath, Texas, Jay Ashley Tucker of Plano, Texas; and niece, Elisabeth Berry Tucker, Dallas, Texas. His survivors also include seven grandnieces and nephews: Ashley, Kristen, Jay Michael, Allison, Christian, Cody and Paris Tucker. Bill and Beth Tucker will host an informal reception on January 21, 2012, to share memories of their brother, James, with friends and family. The reception will be held from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Holden Avenue Church of Christ in Newport.