James Preston Tucker, Sr., age 92, of Wauchula, passed away in Sebring on Thursday, May 5, 2016. He was born in Lake Wales, Florida on January 10, 1924 and moved to Hardee County in 1960. He was a Baptist, a World War II veteran serving in the United States Army, and had been employed as a citrus grower.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Mae Tucker, a son, Horace Tucker, and grandsons, James R. Staton, Jordan P. Downs, and James Scott Tucker.

Survivors include two sons, James P. Tucker Jr. and wife Sandra of Port St. Lucie, Cecil Tucker of Wauchula; two daughters, Lucille Tucker Staton and husband Lelton of Wauchula, Deborah Lynn Tucker-Downs and husband Richard of LaPorte, Indiana; one brother, George Tucker of Frostproof; eight grandchildren, Richard J. Staton, Stephen E. Staton and wife Rachel, Wendy L. Staton Welch and husband Jerry C., Richard G. Downs III and wife Mercy Anee, Gabriel L. Downs, Hannah L. Lazarus and husband Robert A., Michael J. Downs, Mark Alan Tucker and wife Candace; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.