Horace Clayton Tuck

Born December 4, 1934 in Virgilina, Virginia, Horace Clayton Tuck of Mt Vernon, Georgia, 90, left us peacefully on Tuesday, October 28, with family at his side.  He was the youngest of eight children born to Thomas Powell Tuck and Maude Lee Puryear Tuck of Clarksville, Virginia.  Horace was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mildred Wall Tuck, and daughter-in-law, Lori Nobles Tuck. He is survived by his children, Beth Powell and Scott Tuck (Lori), three grandchildren, Sarah Hoffman (Adam), Ella Powell, and Andrew Tuck, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

As a boy, Dad was very busy with his paper route, keeping up with all his older siblings, and finding mischief wherever he could.  He graduated from Clarksville High School, where he enjoyed playing football and baseball.  He then received a baseball scholarship to NC State and ultimately graduated from Texas A&M University in mathematics. He then served in the US Air Force for a short time near the end of the Korean Conflict.

In his professional life, he put his gift and endless curiosity for physics and mathematics to use in efforts ranging from designing a valve for jet engines to a mechanized system used at a nuclear power plant, to all facets of the construction industry, and even teaching high school math, where he enjoyed the students as much as the numbers.

Dad loved friendly competition, felt good sportsmanship was the foundation of any competitive relationship, and was a worthy opponent in everything from bowling to chess.  As his grandchildren can attest, Papa Horace was always there to teach you about the game – he was not playing just to let you win. If you beat Dad at almost anything, it was a hard-fought and well-deserved victory, and he celebrated it as much as you did.

So bright and intelligent, he was always ten steps ahead, such that sometimes it was difficult to even fathom what he could see; this would aid him and present challenges for him throughout his lifetime. But, for everyone out there with a coffeemaker and swear jar in their homes, Dad firmly believed that swearing relieved stress, and that there was nothing about the day that couldn’t be faced with a good cup of coffee, or five.  

A thoughtful and generous soul, he believed in seeing the best in people and always doing what he could for those around him. Toward the end of his life, he still would not accept anything that he had not first offered to you or even be seated without making sure there was room for others.

As did all of his siblings, Dad truly enjoyed people and had a quick wit highlighted by his own brand of humor. To everyone’s delight, he maintained his fun-loving spirit until the end. Though it was morphed by age and condition, those who knew him could recognize the person they loved in those moments when his sense of humor and mischievousness shone through.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Pastor Wayne Durden, Dr. Geoffrey Conner, Community Hospice of Vidalia, and particularly to his caregivers – Mildred, Onika, Josie, Ina, and Raynita - who so lovingly cared for Dad in these most recent years, as well as Christie and Anne Roller for all their support. We are very appreciative of him having been surrounded by such a special group of people who cherished him as we did.

Visitation will be held at Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home in Vidalia, 5-7PM Friday, October 31st.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to Community Hospice Foundation, which provided constant care; Mercy Ministries, to which Mildred volunteered her medical care to others; and Robert Toombs Christian Academy, to which they both generously and faithfully supported.

Community Hospice Foundation, PO Box 2277 Vidalia, GA 30475

Mercy Ministries, 714-1 NW Broad Street Lyons, GA 30436

Robert Toombs Christian Academy 628 W Oglethorpe Lyons, GA 30436

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