Gerlene Tucker

On March 4, 2016, God called his angel, Gerlene Tucker, home. Geri, age 78, passed at home after a four year battle with cancer and a life-long battle with lupus, her loving husband and children at her side. Gerlene was born July 28, 1937 to Lawrence and Bessie Long in rural Wright County Missouri. She moved to the Yakima Valley with her family at the age of 10. She attended school in Zillah, where she met her future husband, Jerry Tucker. Jerry and Gerlene were married April 28, 1954 and raised three wonderful children together. Geri owned her own cleaning business while her children were in school and later worked for 17 years as a cook for the Yakima School District. She was the kitchen manager at Hoover School when she retired in 2003. Geri’s family was her greatest joy in life. She loved nothing more than fixing Sunday dinner for the family and having her home filled with laughter and love. Besides the love for her family, Gerlene was best known for her profound love of animals. Almost all of her pets throughout the years came to her as strays. She helped find good homes for countless other strays that seemed to find her. Gerlene was preceded in death by her parents, Bessie and “Spud” Long, her older brother Gene Long, and her twin sister Maxine Neavoll. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jerry Tucker, brother Jerry Long, sons Rick Tucker, Joe and wife Cheryl Tucker, daughter Teresa and husband George Davis, grandchildren Crissy (Mike) Hobbs, Joseph (Vanessa) Tucker, Shane (Tiffany) Tucker, and five great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Cora, Natheena, Derek, and Inara. The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion for both Geri and the family. Words cannot express the gratitude we have for the wonderful individuals who touched our lives. At her request, there will be no funeral services. A memorial will be held at a later date for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Geri’s name to the Yakima Valley Veterinary Clinic or the Yakima Humane Society. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerlene Tucker, please visit our flower store.