Ralph E. Tucker

Ralph E. Tucker, 89, of Cambridge, died Wednesday (April 29, 2015) at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus. He was born October 7, 1925 in Cambridge, son of the late John Thomas Tucker and Beulah Irene (Butler) Tucker. Mr. Tucker worked as a Certified Public Accountant for over 60 years, first in the firm of Gamage, Tucker and Barden and since 1983 with his son in Tucker and Tucker CPA's. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he was an usher and member of the Finance Committee. A 1944 graduate of Byesville High School, he then served in the United States Marine Corps from 1944-46. As part of the 6th Marine Division, he landed on the beaches of Okinawa on April 1, 1945 and saw active combat through April and May. After the Japanese surrender, he served with the occupation forces in China. Upon returning home after the war, he attended Cambridge Business College majoring in accounting. On May 1, 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Wodich. During his career, he was especially dedicated to the development of Guernsey Memorial Hospital, setting up its first accounting system. He was also a charter member of the hospital's Centurion Club. In addition, he served on the board of the Central National Bank and as a member of the Cambridge City Board of Education. In his younger years, he was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Cambridge, Elks, Eagles, Scottish Rite, Shrine and Free & Accepted Masons. For relaxation, he was an avid golfer having learned to play golf as a caddy at the Cambridge Country Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Charles Robert Tucker, Myron Tucker, Fred Tucker, and John R. Tucker; three sisters, Edith Shipula, Effie Tom, and Betty Neff; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Elizabeth Fehrman. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Wodich) Tucker; a daughter, Christine (& Jim) Leeper of Caldwell; a son, Jeffrey T. (& Laurie) Tucker of New Concord; two brothers, Walter Tucker of Byesville and Clarence (& Karen) Tucker of Gallipolis; two sisters, Patricia Imm of Cambridge and Marjorie (& Gale) Ruby of Byesville; two granddaughters, Jessica (& Nick) Daniels of Dover and Hannah Tucker of Tiffin. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Raul Hernandez and Michelle Fisher R.N. for the excellent care provided over the past three years. Visitation will be held Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge where funeral services will be held Saturday (May 2, 2015) at 11 a.m. with Rev. Max Beery and Pastor Dail Parrish officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Byesville, with military honors conducted by the US Marine Corps and the Guernsey County Veterans Council. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Guernsey Health Foundation, 1341 Clark St., Cambridge, OH 43725.