He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Odessa Tucker ;and brother Dwane all of Maryville.
He was a graduate of Friendsville High School and attended The University of Tennessee prior to entering the U.S. Army Reserve.
He served in the 844th Engineer Battalion and retired as a recruiter from the United States Army Reserve Recruiting Battalion headquartered in Nashville. He received an associate in science degree from Vincennes University in 1994.
He was beginning his 14th year of teaching at Cleveland High School as the automotive technology instructor. During this tenure, he had state and national winners in Ford AAA and Skill USA contests nationwide.
Steve Clariday, supervisor of Career and Technology Education in Cleveland City Schools, stated Verlin positively impacted the lives of many students who have been under his instructional leadership.
Clariday also said twith Tucker’s hard work and enthusiasm, the first Automotive Youth Educational System (AYES) in Tennessee was established at Cleveland High School.
He was currently serving as pastor of Maple Street Baptist Church. Prior to this he had served as minister of education, deacon, Bible study teacher, and many other service capacities at North Cleveland Baptist Church.
Survivors include his loving wife of 40 years, Jean Smith Tucker; sons and wives: Brian and Sherrie Tucker of Fort Worth, Texas, Kevin and Becky Tucker of Goodlettsville, and David and Shannon Tucker of Bloomingdale, Ga., grandchildren: Kaden, Keegan, and Brenna Tucker all of Bloomingldale, Ga.; brothers: James Marvin Tucker (Audrey) of Jamison, Pa., Clifford Tucker (Karen) of Maryville; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Francis and Mildred Smith of Louisville; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Robert and Debbie Smith, also of Louisville; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 6 p.m. today, Aug. 15, 2010, at North Cleveland Baptist Church with Dr. Jay McCluskey officiating.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. at North Cleveland Baptist Church.
Graveside service will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at Louisville Memorial Cemetery in Louisville with Bill Bates, Steve Clariday, Jim Goins, Rick Henry, Bruce McMillian and Michael Rumble serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Tucker Class of North Cleveland Baptist Church.
Memorial gifts be made to the Building Fund of North Cleveland Baptist Church.
Grissom Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.grissomfh.net.
