Harvey Jay Tucker, 81, longtime resident of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died early Tuesday morning, May 18, 2010, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital.

Harvey Jay Tucker was born on July 29, 1928, in Stigler, Oklahoma, to Clarence and Fanny (Mason) Tucker. He moved with his family to Blackwell in the eighth grade and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1947.

Harvey married his beloved wife, the former Lela Cox, on December 24, 1949, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary just prior to her death on January 5, 2010. Harvey started his career in the grocery store and butcher shop business at Fey's Market in downtown Blackwell at the age of fourteen. He began working for Snow White Meat Market until 1971 when he started his own business, Harvey's Grocery and Meat Market, which he and Lela operated for seventeen years. Upon selling the store, they owned and operated Julie Anne's Dress Shop for twelve years. He was active in many civic organizations and served on the board of the Top of Oklahoma Historical Society. Harvey loved spending his free time working at the museum.

Harvey and Lela had many enjoyments in life, including square dancing, bowling, traveling and time spent with grandchildren and great grandchildren. His hobbies included woodworking and cooking. He looked forward to receiving the magazine, Taste of Home, each month to try out new recipes. Harvey was loved and respected by all and will be missed.

He is survived by two sons, Gary Tucker and wife Teena of Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Mike Tucker and wife Cathie of Norman, Oklahoma; a sister, Pat Kane and brother-in-law Don Kane of Palm Coast, Florida; five grandchildren, Josh Tucker and wife Holly, Justin Tucker, Annie Grell and husband Jared, Ashley Moody and husband Blake, and Cherith Tucker; seven great grandchildren, Maxson, Karlie, Talon, Mia and Lane Tucker, Macie Mae Moody and Balen Grell.

He was also preceded in death by mother, Fanny Farrill and step-father, Ludge Farrill.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 22nd in the Immanuel Baptist Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Matt Smith officiating. Burial will be held that afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the Hickory Grove Cemetery in Hickory Grove, Oklahoma.

Serving as honorary casketbearers will be Ted Butler, Max Claybaker, Harold Cox, Mike Jeffers, Bill Massey, Bob Williamson, Jim Willis and Max Wirtz. Casketbearers will be Chuck Cox, Brock Massey, Justin Tucker, Josh Tucker, Jared Grell, Blake Moody, Greg Harman and Joe Jameson.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to First Christian Church Youth Group in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.