Thomas "Tommy" Elmer Tucker

Thomas “Tommy” Elmer Tucker, aged 75, was taken into the arms of the Lord on Sunday morning April 21, 2024 in his home, after a short battle with cancer. Interment was in the Faith Memorial Cemetery, Delhi, LA.

A time of visitation will take place at HIS Church in Pineville, Louisiana on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 4:pm --7:00 pm.

Tommy was born on February 7th, 1949 to Clayton and Gladys Tucker in Greenville, Mississippi. He spent his formative years in a small farmhouse in rural Leland before graduating high school in 1967. He continued his education at Mississippi Delta College and completed his studies at Mississippi State University with a bachelor of science in engineering in 1972. In 1976 he gained his Professional Engineer registration under Mississippi’s Professional Engineering and Land Surveyors. In 1981 he acquired his Mechanical Engineering “PE” in the state of Louisiana.

After university he served his country as a captain in the United States Army and later as a major in the Mississippi State National Guard HHC 168th Engr. Group.

Tommy was spent a lifetime, over fifty years as an active professional in the natural gas and oil pipeline. After spending several years as a valued employee of United Gas, Columbia Gulf and Louisiana Intrastate Gas, he recognized an important need in small municipality natural gas odorization. Bayou Engineering was launched in 1993. His vision went from small volume, rural municipalities to complete western hemispheric operations, head quartering in the world’s largest volume odorization storage facility. He was extraordinarily proud of this facility and the economic growth it presented to his community.

An accomplished horseman, he had a passion for riding, breeding and competing in regional and national reigning AQHA events. He qualified for AQHA’s Run for the Million in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2022 at 73 years old.

Perhaps Tommy’s largest contribution in life was his gift of giving. He gave to his family. He gave to his community. He gave to his friends. He gave to his church. He gave to children’s sports and organizations. He supported the dreams of everyone he met and helped those dreams come true however he could. Tommy was a consummate story teller, usually at the loving expense of one of his daughters and grandchildren. We may have made him foot stomping, hair pulling mad. We always found new and amazingly unique ways of knocking him speechless (the grandsons were especially good at this) - but he never held a grudge. He never
stayed angry. He always forgave, and usually made a humorous story out of it. He never let anyone forget it, either.

To one’s best knowledge, Tommy never gave charity on national levels; he believed in investing here at home. He supported local living, local businesses, and being present in his local community. In his professional capacity, he advocated and supported Louisiana’s oil and pipeline industry. He supported the employees and their families. In addition to being a global expert in natural gas pipeline safety management, the last five years he has worked tirelessly to bring growth to the Pineville and Kolin area. His final progressive dream was to see a multi-use industrial complex in Pineville.

During his early years he looked forward to a week long deer camp in Colorado with some of his best friends. In his last several years, he enjoyed his tranquility on a mountain top, preferring to enjoy peace and the beauty of God’s paradise. His heart was always here at home, but his zen was in Chama, New Mexico.

In addition to his parents, Tommy is preceded in death by a sister, Ann Tucker Purcell; ex-wife of 31 years, Virginia Jean Tucker; long time partner Cammie Sue Laborde; and a granddaughter, Hannah Eve. He is survived by his fiancé, Taffy Best; two daughters, Shardi O’Neal (Jody) and Melyssa Kisner (Troy); one sister, Sue Tucker Keiser (Ed); his five grandchildren, Abigael, Kallye, Donovan, Ian and Carson. He leaves behind valued team members, friends, employees, and two beloved dogs Nova and Tilly.

Pallbearers will be Art Rainwater, Mark Hatten, Gary “JR” Brister, Skip King, Thomas Lonberry, and Brandon Crane.

In lieu flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Thomas Tucker’s name to the Ann Tucker Purcell Excellence in Elementary Education Award, c/o University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford Ms., 38655 or online at www.umfoundation.com.

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