Obituary for Roy Benard Tuck Jr.
Roy Bernard Tuck, Jr
Dec. 4th, 1931-June 24, 2022
He was born in Leesville, LA and resided in the Castor Community until age 5 when his father died. Left fatherless, with a widowed mother and 2 younger siblings, he became the “Man of the House.”
After the death of his father, the family moved into Leesville. It became his job to pull his little red wagon downtown to the grocery store and pick up groceries for the family.
About the time he turned 6, the family moved to the Pickering Community. Here he walked down the railroad tracks to enroll himself in the first grade at Pickering School. It was during this time he would slip off and eat with the Ho Bos that camped under the train trestle.
When The Great Louisiana Maneuvers came to Vernon Parish, the family had moved again and resided east of Leesville. It was then he began his first business. He acquired a shoeshine kit and spent every Saturday on 3rd Street shining shoes as an effort to help support the family.
Soon the family moved again. This time, to Rosepine, LA. Here he walked or hitch hiked to the streets of DeRidder to continue his shoeshine business. It was during this time that his sister recalls one particular Saturday. He took his earning for the day and stopped at a meat market on his way home. There he purchased a beef steak for his mother to cook. It was the first one he and the younger siblings had ever eaten.
When he wasn’t shining shoes or in school, he cut and stacked firewood for anyone who would hire him. He had a newspaper route to distribute The Shreveport Times. He worked in a pickle factory when he was still too small to reach the bottom of the pickle barrels. Then, for only 50 cents a day, he helped to build the big Slagle Pond which is still there today.
In his early teens, he traveled to California with his mother’s sister and her husband to work for the summer. While there he worked in a dry-cleaning business. When the summer was over, he bought a bus ticket and returned to Vernon Parish, traveling alone with his summer earning.
He dropped out of school to join the Navy. He brought the recruiter to meet his mother but failed to tell him he was underage. It took three attempts before he was inducted into the Navy and trained as a medic. One month prior to the end of his Naval enlistment, he received notice he would be extended and assigned to the First Marine Division as a medic. He served in Korea; was wounded and awarded The Purple Heart. His final military assignment was in Orange, TX.
In 1952 he married Ramona Benedict. They had planned to celebrate 70 years of marriage on September 6, 2022.
After his discharge from the Navy, he decided to pursue his GED. He worked for a company providing oil field equipment during the day and studied at night. In 1953 he entered Louisiana State University.
As he pursued a degree in law he worked with the LSU Campus Security, LSU Law Library, and Trail Ways Bus Lines.
In 1959 he graduated from LSU School of Law. Once again, returning to Vernon Parish, he opened his first law office on 3rd Street. He shared office space above the Happy Hour Café with Dr. I O Winfree. With a typewriter, which he borrowed from his wife, and shared with Doctor Winfree, he began his legal career. When Fort Polk closed, he decided to relocate to Shreveport LA where he worked in the Law Firm established by Mr. Charlie Peters. He remained there until 1964.
In 1964 he came back to Leesville to practice law. He opened his private practice in the James Building behind the historic courthouse in Leesville. In the mid 1970’s he moved once again to 3rd Street where he established offices in the Vernon Bank Building. Here he became a mentor to several young attorneys.
In August 1979 he became Judge of the 30th Judicial District Court in Leesville, Louisiana. He served the citizens of Vernon Parish 30th JDC until his retirement from the bench in December 1996.
Roy B Tuck was known for varied interests. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and rockhound. He maintained cattle, horses and other livestock along with his vegetable gardens and hay fields. It was these interests which he used to instill his work ethic and sense of fair sportsmanship into his sons. Even though he worked long hours building his legal career he always found time for his family.
Achievements, accomplishments, memberships, and services:
Member and Deacon of Leesville First Baptist Church
Served as Adult Sunday School Teacher and on multiple church boards.
Local Gideons
Member of the LA. Bar Association
Service on the Castor Cemetery Committee for 18 years.
Member of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association
Secretary of the Vernon Parish Police Jury
Civitan Club to include service as their State Governor
Master of Rosepine Masonic Blue Lodge # 290 Master Mason
Master of Leesville Masonic Blue Lodge # 240 Master Mason
Grand Master (1997) and Grand Secretary of Masons of LA
Vernon Chapter 51 Royal Arch Mason
Fullerton Council 26 Cryptic Mason
Rhodes Commandry 17 Knights Templar
Grand High Priest of Louisiana (1995)
Grand Illustrious Master of Cryptic Masons (2007)
RE Grand Commander of Knights Templar of LA (2004)
Co-Founder and 1st administrator of the Masons of the State of Louisiana’s Dyslexic Foundation, known as the Masonic Learning Center
33rd Scottish Rite Mason of the Shreveport Scottish Rite Bodies
Other honors and awards, too many to list.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Benard Tuck Sr. and Zelma Wilson Tuck Hammett; daughters-in-law, Darla Kay Tuck and Ramona Gail Tuck; and step-grandson Jason Davis.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of nearly 70 years, Ramona Benedict Tuck of Leesville, LA;
sons, Roy K. Tuck, James Benard Tuck and wife Tracy, and Timothy Wayne Tuck and wife Christy all of Leesville;
daughter, Anita Carmen Tuck of Leesville;
grandchildren, Kambria L. Tuck Sturgeon, Haley L Tuck Stevens and husband Brandon, Kendra L. Tuck, Khristopher Tuck, Katlin Tuck and wife Heather, Gracyn E. Tuck, and Laura L. Tuck;
step-grandchildren, Jordan Wells and Courtney Hippler;
great-grandchildren, Keyan Tuck, Taylor Stevens, Kynsley Tuck, and Blanchard Stevens;
step-great-grandchildren, Kadence Betz, Connor Betz, Braylynn Betz, Jaden Davis, Jacob Hippler, Caleb Hippler, Charlie Wells, Analeigh Wells, and Remi Jones;
brother, William E. “Bill” Tuck and wife Betty of Winnsboro, TX;
sister, Marybelle Tuck McDaniel of Leesville;
and a host of nephews, nieces, and extended family members.
Funeral services for Roy Benard Tuck Jr. will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Leesville First Baptist Church with Reverend Jerry Penfield officiating. A visitation will be held at the church on Monday, June 27th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral service in Castor Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Stevens, Katlin Tuck, Keyan Tuck, Preston Muse, Gary Lyons, and Jason Nash. Honorary pallbearers will be Khris Tuck, Bobby Burns, Kyle Bush, Keith Bush, A.J. Kuzel, Dwayne Muse, members of his Unity Sunday School class, members of the Louisiana Bar Association, and his Masonic brothers.
The funeral service will be live streamed through Leesville First Baptist Church and Jeane Funeral Service Facebook pages. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Masonic Learning Center, 5746 Masonic Drive Alexandria, LA 71301.
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Dec. 4th, 1931-June 24, 2022
He was born in Leesville, LA and resided in the Castor Community until age 5 when his father died. Left fatherless, with a widowed mother and 2 younger siblings, he became the “Man of the House.”
After the death of his father, the family moved into Leesville. It became his job to pull his little red wagon downtown to the grocery store and pick up groceries for the family.
About the time he turned 6, the family moved to the Pickering Community. Here he walked down the railroad tracks to enroll himself in the first grade at Pickering School. It was during this time he would slip off and eat with the Ho Bos that camped under the train trestle.
When The Great Louisiana Maneuvers came to Vernon Parish, the family had moved again and resided east of Leesville. It was then he began his first business. He acquired a shoeshine kit and spent every Saturday on 3rd Street shining shoes as an effort to help support the family.
Soon the family moved again. This time, to Rosepine, LA. Here he walked or hitch hiked to the streets of DeRidder to continue his shoeshine business. It was during this time that his sister recalls one particular Saturday. He took his earning for the day and stopped at a meat market on his way home. There he purchased a beef steak for his mother to cook. It was the first one he and the younger siblings had ever eaten.
When he wasn’t shining shoes or in school, he cut and stacked firewood for anyone who would hire him. He had a newspaper route to distribute The Shreveport Times. He worked in a pickle factory when he was still too small to reach the bottom of the pickle barrels. Then, for only 50 cents a day, he helped to build the big Slagle Pond which is still there today.
In his early teens, he traveled to California with his mother’s sister and her husband to work for the summer. While there he worked in a dry-cleaning business. When the summer was over, he bought a bus ticket and returned to Vernon Parish, traveling alone with his summer earning.
He dropped out of school to join the Navy. He brought the recruiter to meet his mother but failed to tell him he was underage. It took three attempts before he was inducted into the Navy and trained as a medic. One month prior to the end of his Naval enlistment, he received notice he would be extended and assigned to the First Marine Division as a medic. He served in Korea; was wounded and awarded The Purple Heart. His final military assignment was in Orange, TX.
In 1952 he married Ramona Benedict. They had planned to celebrate 70 years of marriage on September 6, 2022.
After his discharge from the Navy, he decided to pursue his GED. He worked for a company providing oil field equipment during the day and studied at night. In 1953 he entered Louisiana State University.
As he pursued a degree in law he worked with the LSU Campus Security, LSU Law Library, and Trail Ways Bus Lines.
In 1959 he graduated from LSU School of Law. Once again, returning to Vernon Parish, he opened his first law office on 3rd Street. He shared office space above the Happy Hour Café with Dr. I O Winfree. With a typewriter, which he borrowed from his wife, and shared with Doctor Winfree, he began his legal career. When Fort Polk closed, he decided to relocate to Shreveport LA where he worked in the Law Firm established by Mr. Charlie Peters. He remained there until 1964.
In 1964 he came back to Leesville to practice law. He opened his private practice in the James Building behind the historic courthouse in Leesville. In the mid 1970’s he moved once again to 3rd Street where he established offices in the Vernon Bank Building. Here he became a mentor to several young attorneys.
In August 1979 he became Judge of the 30th Judicial District Court in Leesville, Louisiana. He served the citizens of Vernon Parish 30th JDC until his retirement from the bench in December 1996.
Roy B Tuck was known for varied interests. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and rockhound. He maintained cattle, horses and other livestock along with his vegetable gardens and hay fields. It was these interests which he used to instill his work ethic and sense of fair sportsmanship into his sons. Even though he worked long hours building his legal career he always found time for his family.
Achievements, accomplishments, memberships, and services:
Member and Deacon of Leesville First Baptist Church
Served as Adult Sunday School Teacher and on multiple church boards.
Local Gideons
Member of the LA. Bar Association
Service on the Castor Cemetery Committee for 18 years.
Member of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association
Secretary of the Vernon Parish Police Jury
Civitan Club to include service as their State Governor
Master of Rosepine Masonic Blue Lodge # 290 Master Mason
Master of Leesville Masonic Blue Lodge # 240 Master Mason
Grand Master (1997) and Grand Secretary of Masons of LA
Vernon Chapter 51 Royal Arch Mason
Fullerton Council 26 Cryptic Mason
Rhodes Commandry 17 Knights Templar
Grand High Priest of Louisiana (1995)
Grand Illustrious Master of Cryptic Masons (2007)
RE Grand Commander of Knights Templar of LA (2004)
Co-Founder and 1st administrator of the Masons of the State of Louisiana’s Dyslexic Foundation, known as the Masonic Learning Center
33rd Scottish Rite Mason of the Shreveport Scottish Rite Bodies
Other honors and awards, too many to list.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Benard Tuck Sr. and Zelma Wilson Tuck Hammett; daughters-in-law, Darla Kay Tuck and Ramona Gail Tuck; and step-grandson Jason Davis.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of nearly 70 years, Ramona Benedict Tuck of Leesville, LA;
sons, Roy K. Tuck, James Benard Tuck and wife Tracy, and Timothy Wayne Tuck and wife Christy all of Leesville;
daughter, Anita Carmen Tuck of Leesville;
grandchildren, Kambria L. Tuck Sturgeon, Haley L Tuck Stevens and husband Brandon, Kendra L. Tuck, Khristopher Tuck, Katlin Tuck and wife Heather, Gracyn E. Tuck, and Laura L. Tuck;
step-grandchildren, Jordan Wells and Courtney Hippler;
great-grandchildren, Keyan Tuck, Taylor Stevens, Kynsley Tuck, and Blanchard Stevens;
step-great-grandchildren, Kadence Betz, Connor Betz, Braylynn Betz, Jaden Davis, Jacob Hippler, Caleb Hippler, Charlie Wells, Analeigh Wells, and Remi Jones;
brother, William E. “Bill” Tuck and wife Betty of Winnsboro, TX;
sister, Marybelle Tuck McDaniel of Leesville;
and a host of nephews, nieces, and extended family members.
Funeral services for Roy Benard Tuck Jr. will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at Leesville First Baptist Church with Reverend Jerry Penfield officiating. A visitation will be held at the church on Monday, June 27th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral service in Castor Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Stevens, Katlin Tuck, Keyan Tuck, Preston Muse, Gary Lyons, and Jason Nash. Honorary pallbearers will be Khris Tuck, Bobby Burns, Kyle Bush, Keith Bush, A.J. Kuzel, Dwayne Muse, members of his Unity Sunday School class, members of the Louisiana Bar Association, and his Masonic brothers.
The funeral service will be live streamed through Leesville First Baptist Church and Jeane Funeral Service Facebook pages. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Masonic Learning Center, 5746 Masonic Drive Alexandria, LA 71301.
To plant a tree in memory of Roy Benard Tuck Jr., visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
27
Jun
6:00 PM
- 9:00 PM
First Baptist Church of Leesville
1400 Nolan Trace
Leesville, LA 71446
Funeral
Tuesday
28
Jun
10:00 AM
First Baptist Church of Leesville
1400 Nolan Trace
Leesville, LA 71446
Cemetery Details
Location
Castor Cemetery
2057 Slagle Road
Leesville, LA 71446
Memorial Contribution
Masonic Learning Center
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Masonic Learning Center, 5746 Masonic Drive Alexandria, LA 71301.
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