Don Tucker

Donald Alexander Tucker TWIN FALLS, ID - "After 94 years Grandpa's pocket watch stopped ticking." Donald A. Tucker, left this mortal life on Saturday, Oct. 23rd, 2010 with his wife of 62 years by his side. Don was born on the family homestead on Dry Creek near Boise, Idaho, May 26th, 1916 to Stephen Rowan Tucker and Mabel Elisabeth Youngblood Tucker. He lived in the Treasure Valley area throughout his youth and attended Nampa High School. He worked in the CCC's in the early 1930s and graduated from McCall High School in 1936. He told of joining Troop F of the Idaho National Guard at age 16 when it was still a horse cavalry unit. After High School Don worked as a machinist for Brown Tie & Lumber Co. at the McCall saw mill. He left that job to enlist in the U. S. Navy on Christmas Eve, 1941. In 1947, he returned to Idaho, where he began a career with Idaho Power Co. at the Lower Malad Power Plant, near Bliss, Idaho. He later transferred to the Thousand Springs plant, and in 1963 transferred into the dispatching office in Twin Falls. In 1948, Don married Betty Irene Collins. In addition to his full time work, Don and Betty bought a 40-acre farm near West Point in 1954. The 1963 job transfer was accompanied by a move to a 20-acre farm south of Twin Falls. Don retired from Idaho Power in June, 1978 after almost 31 years of service. This year he celebrated 32 years of being retired. Throughout Don's life he enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing and especially big game hunting. He was always busy with crops or animals, or fixing something or building something or helping someone else do so. He seemed to know how to do almost anything (as long as it didn't involve a computer). He was also a skilled machinist and mechanic. Don was an active member of the Masonic Lodge for over 62 years, as well as a Life member of The Scottish Rite, and a member of the El Korah Shrine. He participated in many fund raising projects and sponsored numerous children to receive treatment at the Shriners' Hospital. Don served as Past Master for Hagerman Lodge #78, Kayler Lodge #94, and held many offices in Twin Falls Lodge #45. He served as Worthy Patron of OES Chapter #82, and was active in supporting all Masonic activities including Job's Daughters and DeMolay. Don had a loving interest in clocks and watches. He was responsible for winding the Twin Falls Bank and Trust Clock, until poor health forced him to give this up. He always had time to tell you a story, if you were willing to listen. Surviving are his wife Betty, Twin Falls, four children: Jeannie Brackett, Twin Falls; Donna Tennant, Portland, Oregon; Steve Tucker (Jannett), South Weber, Utah; and Virginia Tucker, Twin Falls, 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his sibling, Gladys Barker of Elba, Idaho, one grandson, Ronald Tennant and two great grandsons, Tony Nunez and Bryant Tennant. Funeral services will be held at the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Rd, Twin Falls, ID on Saturday, Nov. 6th at 2:00pm. Those wishing to greet the family may do so Friday evening November 5, 2010 from 5 - 7 P.M. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the services on Saturday. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Shriner's Children's Hospital, C/O Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Rd., Twin Falls, ID 83301.