TM Tucker

July 27, 1925 - January 28, 2021

T.M. Tucker was known by most as Coach Tucker. He was born July 27th, 1925 on Sand Mountain in Alabama. He grew up farming in “God’s Country” along with his parents and many brothers and sisters. His mother, Kate Bannister Tucker, was a member of the Muscogee Indian Nation. He lost a brother and his mother as a child. He grew up fast and tough out of necessity. When duty called, he served his country floating the Pacific with a Navy Fleet during WWII. He never talked about his time in the war, but it did grant him access to an education at Jacksonville State University through the GI Bill. Once his children and grandchildren were of age, Coach would tell of his mischievous days sneaking beer around the dorm rooms right under the noses of the RAs. He worked hard but played harder. While studying at Jacksonville State, T.M. got more than he bargained for when he met the love of his life, Ophelia Warren. Ophelia, who was earning a teaching degree when the two met, would eventually take T.M.’s hand in marriage and go on to keep him in line for more than 55 years before her passing . Together they went on to teach many kids from Alabama to Georgia while raising their children, Pam and Mike. They finally settled in Rome, Georgia while Coach worked in Bartow County at Adairsville High School. He spent those days chasing the ever elusive State Football Championship. He never pulled off the title, but Coach Tucker’s Tigers were constantly contenders. He was awarded Rome Area Coach of the Year in 1971 and 1972, Class C State Coach of the Year in 1970 and 1972, Basketball Coach of the Year in 1968, 1969, 1971, and 1974, and a member of the Touchdown Club of Atlanta in 1971. There wasn’t a ball, field, or court that the Coach couldn’t tell and show you how it should be done. He required the best effort of not only those that played for him, but of himself as he molded boys into men. Eventually T.M. and Ophelia retired, but they didn’t go far without running into a former student or player. The kindness and knowledge they taught left an impression everywhere they went. Retirement mostly meant family and farming. Friends at Shannon UMC and around the area could tell you about his amazing tomatoes and overly abundant beans, peas, and corn. If he wasn’t in the garden he could be found in the pasture keeping an eye on the cows and horses. As tough as he was, we somehow ended up with goats, ducks, and geese that he was never very excited about. Grandkids have a way of getting tough guys to add a few more animals to the farm. When he didn’t want to be found, he was out running his dogs. He called it hunting, but he never brought home a kill. He just loved following the Beagles and the sound of their barks. Every summer he found time to camp and fish, every fall there were trips to pick up apples in the mountains, and EVERY holiday was at his house. Ophelia was always the perfect hostess that stood by his side and took care of him. One day, four clogged arteries threatened to take his life. As soon as he recovered from surgery, he was back in the gym and as picky as ever in the kitchen. T.M. and Ophelia were regulars at the Vitality Center gym. Vitality was exactly what they found there. Six days a week, rain or cold… They worked out each morning and by noon Coach was watching his soaps or anything featuring John Wayne before he was back up taking care of the chores of a farm. He lost his wife in 2005 to Alzheimers, but continued his daily traditions of exercising, farming, gardening and running the Beagles. When the trips to the gym slowed down, Coach spent more time “resting his eyes” in the recliner. For the last five years, he had sleepy days and good conversations at Seven Hills Assisted Living. We are all thankful to everyone who visited him there. After almost a century on this earth, he quietly took his last breath with a few family members by his side on January 28, 2021. He had finally crossed into that majestic endzone to heaven where he will be patiently waiting for the rest of his team. The Coach had a full life and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his wife, Flora Olphelia Warren Tucker. He leaves behind his daughter, Pamela Tucker Stuart with her husband John Stuart, and his son Micheal Warren Tucker, with wife Kimberly Lee Belcher Tucker. Grandchildren: Christopher Michael Stuart, Courtney Stuart Harbin (husband Warren Baker Harbin), Molly Denise Tucker, and Kasey Lee Tucker. Great Grandchildren: Malik Deshawn Stuart, Hannah Nicole Stuart, Chandler Austin Stuart, and Warren Houston Harbin. Parnick Jennings Sr.'s Good Shepherd Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.