Obituary of Arthur Tucker

Arthur E. (Gene) Tucker was born April 12, 1928, in Enid Oklahoma to Charles Edward and Ruth Randolph Tucker. He passed from this life on July 6, 2008 at the age of 80. Gene moved with his family to Tulsa from Oklahoma City when he was in elementary school. He was a 1946 graduate of Tulsa Central High School and in 1951 received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Tulsa. He was member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and played the French Horn in the TU Marching Band. Gene served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from September, 1951, to December, 1953 (10 months in Korea). He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious action against the enemy. He was honorably discharged as First Lieutenant. After returning from Korea, he worked at Foley Tractor Company (Caterpillar Distributor), in Wichita, Kansas, April 1954, to April, 1960, as general line salesman in Great Bend, Kansas, and later as city salesman in Wichita. He resigned to enter his own business in Tulsa, OK. Gene became part owner in Petroleum Printing Company (later changed to Business Controls, Inc.), manufacturers of business forms and accounting systems in April, 1960. He served as Vice President, President, and Chief Executive Officer. In 1969, he purchased Bender Direct Mail, Inc., Tulsa, OK, serving as President from 1969 to 1998, when he sold the company to NCO Group, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange Company. Gene served on the board of directors of QuikTrip Corporation for 35 years as a member of their Audit and Executive Committees. Other professional affiliations and appointments include the Board of Directors, Mail Advertising Service Association, an international group with headquarters in Washington, D.C., serving as Treasurer, First Vice President, and elected national Chairman for 1990-1991. He also served on the Board of Directors of Mail Advertising Service Association, Southwest Region 10 years, and served as President in 1986. He received the Leo G. "Bill" Bernheimer Award in 1997. The Bernheimer Award is the highest honor the Mail Advertising Service Association can bestow upon one of its own members. It is given for exceptional dedication and service. His local affiliations included Board of Directors, Tulsa Executive Association, 1959-1989, serving as President in 1974; Board of Directors, Salvation Army, 1986-1989; Board of Directors, West Side YMCA, 1985-1989; Board of Directors, University of Tulsa Alumni Association, 1981; Board of Directors, Leaders Life Insurance Company, Inc., 1989 to 2000; Chairman, Central High School Class of 1946, 40th Reunion held June, 1986, a class of approximately 900 graduates. Gene was appointed by the Mayor to the Business and Industrial Development Corporation for the City of Tulsa, to aid in the selection of small minority businesses to receive Federal loans from 1978 to 1982. Gene received the TU Business School's Outstanding Alumnus Award, 1999-2000 and he was especially proud to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the TU Alumni Association October 24, 2003. In the fall of 2008, the University of Tulsa will dedicate the new TU address with the addition of 800 Tucker Drive, the new "front door" to the University. Other TU contributions include the Tucker Family Tennis Court at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center, The Reynolds Center, the new athletic center and football program. In addition, he contributed to the TU marching band. Gene's hobbies included trout fishing on the White River with three good friends for about 25 years and he was a longtime member of the Red Castle Gun Club. He enjoyed taking his family on summer vacations to various places, including Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Canada. He enjoyed taking his two sons fishing at Ft. Gibson Lake where he kept his boat for many years. Many will remember his special sense of humor, quick wit, jokes and wonderful personality. Gene will also be remembered for his "Geneisms" - his unforgettable words of advice. He also loved to read, with special interest in World War II biographies and history. Gene Tucker was a loving husband, father & grandfather. He lived an unselfish and giving life. "Family" was his number one priority as he graciously provided for his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a man of honor and believed that the truth was the best answer in life. Gene is survived by his wife Carole, with whom he celebrated 45 years of marriage on June 29, 2008; his sons and daughter-in-law, Dane and Lisa Tucker and Trent Tucker; grandsons, Harrison and Griffin Tucker, the family all resides in Tulsa. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00pm Wednesday at Ninde Brookside Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11:00 am Thursday at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church. Friends may contribute in Gene's memory to the Glenhaven Youth Ranch, 748 Glenhaven Road, Plainview, AR 72857-8862. Ninde Brookside Funeral Home, 742-5556. www.ninde.com