Tom Tucker
 |
Christian. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Brother. Son. Loyal. Dependable. Organized. Professional. Faithful. Genuine. Confident. Passionate. Trustworthy. Generous. Smart. Humble. Inspirational. Reliable. Friend.
Those 21 words started the eulogy for Tom Tucker, the director of business development for Community Newspapers Inc., on Saturday afternoon at First Baptist Church of Blairsville, Ga. They were well said by CNI Chairman Alan NeSmith, who happens to be the supervisor of both Tom and myself. Since many bosses can’t say things like that about their associates, it made his words more powerful.
Few folks in Cherokee County knew Tom. He never worked out of the Cherokee Scout’s office, and his name never appeared in the local newspaper’s staff box. Yet, he had a sizable impact on thousands of businesses across northern Georgia and western North Carolina, using his marketing skills to help them succeed, with many advertisements in the Scout.
Tom’s relentless positivity was most noted around 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, when he would email an inspirational quote to a long list of people in and out of the company. I would ignore them on some busy days, but at other times it felt like the quote was meant just for me. How I wish I had read them all.
I worked with Tom for almost 19 years, as his office moved from Blue Ridge to Cornelia. I’ll miss his professional excellence, but what I’ll miss most is our conversations about God. A pastor before joining CNI, his faith never wavered through good times nor bad. I always left him with a lot of good stuff to chew on.
At his Celebration of Life service, several speakers shared what Tom to meant to them and others. His family came from near and far to be with him in his final days, a sure sign of a life well lived.
Tom was only 61 years old when cancer took him from us. He fought off the disease five years ago, but it sadly returned. And when it did, he decided to focus on his quality of life, not quantity, meeting death with as much dignity and faith as any man could.
Pastor Derrick Hartley, who officiated the ceremony, shared Tom’s last moment. He had not talked for some time when he suddenly exclaimed, “Ohh!” before shortly passing away. Tom’s wife, Lesley, believes that was when Tom met Jesus, and knowing he was going to a better place made this place a little less sad.
When friends who aren’t into God ask me why I believe, I share stories like this. I, too, want to have that hope when it’s my turn to meet our Maker. I pray I’m as prepared as Tom was.
Five years ago, Tom was the same age I am today. No one is promised a certain number of days on this rock, and ours could be up at any time.
So, I couldn’t help but think to myself, if I’m ever going to become the best possible version of myself, I better get down to it. My family deserves nothing less.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. You can reach him by phone, 837-5122; email, dbrown@cherokeescout.com; or on Twitter @daviddBstroh.