James “Jimmy” Lloyd Tucker

James “Jimmy” Lloyd Tucker, 77, of Lumberton, TX died peacefully while surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024.  He was born on April 28th, 1947, in Memphis, TN to Nellie Jewel Smith and Lloyd Tucker.

Jimmy grew up in and around Memphis, TN where he grew to love the outdoors and spent much of his time hunting and fishing.  He also loved cars, motorcycles, and all things mechanical.  He married his high school sweetheart, Becky, and they started a family together, eventually moving to Beaumont, TX to pursue career opportunities.

Jimmy was an extremely hard worker.  He spent his career in the oil and gas industry, first as a mechanic and instrument technician, eventually becoming a salesman, and later as an executive in this industry.  He spent the majority of his career – 24 years – at Scallon Controls, where he retired as President and managing majority shareholder of the company.  A high school dropout with a GED, who once worked three jobs to support his girls and later became a highly respected specialist in the engineering field, he was truly a self-made man.  He would receive phone calls from refineries all over the world – from Saudi Arabia to Canada – with problems no one else could solve and more often than not, he could find the solution.  One of his favorite sayings was, “I never went to college, but a lot of the people who work for me did.” Ironically, Jimmy the dropout went on to teach college classes to spread his wealth of industry knowledge to the next generation.

Those who knew Jimmy know of his quick wit and penchant for storytelling.  He had a story, joke, or anecdote for any occasion.  He had a mischievous streak and could “spin a yarn” with the best of them, leaving his audience believing even the tallest of tales.  He was a master at captivating his listeners, holding their rapt attention, and drawing them into his stories – sometimes hook, line, and sinker!

Jimmy was extremely generous in many ways and supported, helped, and elevated an untold number of friends and family throughout the years.  He truly derived joy from helping others, building them up, and seeing their happiness and successes.

Jimmy was known to be tough, strong-willed, and “bull-headed,” as Becky called him.  In true fashion, he fought cancer to the bitter end and never once flinched.

Survivors include his wife, Andrea Lea Tucker; children, Kimberly Cross-Rutledge and her husband, Loyd; Karen Kay Bartlett and her husband, Daniel; and Karma Elaine; grandchildren, John Cross and his wife, Lindsay; Lizzie Radabaugh and her husband, Tom; and Mikaela Danielle Bartlett; brother, Tommy Tucker and his wife, Shelia; nephew, whom he raised like a son, David Childress and his wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, whom he loved like a sister, Kay Vandevender; and numerous extended family, friends, and loved ones.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents and late wife of 49 years, Edith Rebecca “Becky” Tucker.

Memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Texas Food Bank, 3845 S. ML King Jr. Parkway, Beaumont, Texas 77705

A gathering of Mr. Tucker’s family and friends will begin 1:00 p.m. with his memorial service at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 4, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His cremation arrangements were made through Broussard’s Crematorium.