George L. Tucker, 79, Parsons, died Thursday, January 18, 2001, at Labette County Medical Center there. He had been a resident of Parsons Presbyterian Manor the past three years.

He was born April 27, 1921, in Grafton, Illinois, the son of Emery O. and Maud Varble Tucker. He grew up and attended school in Grafton, and in his early adult years, he operated a tugboat on the Mississippi River.

He was a paratrooper for the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the European Theater from 1940-45. He then served as a radio operator and in the military police for the Army from 1947-51, during the occupation forces in Japan.

He moved to Parsons in 1951 and was a journeyman electrician. He worked in several states as an electrician at construction sites and as a general foreman. He then was general foreman for electricians during the construction of the LaCygne Power Plant and the Jeffrey Energy Center. He retired in 1983.

He was a 50-year member of First Assembly of God Church in Parsons, and was a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God. He served as a supply pastor to area churches on occasion, and for a time was a home missions missionary to Native Americans in Kansas.

He was actively involved in Boy Scouts of America. He was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Order of Arrow, and recipient of the Silver Beaver award. He served as assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 2 in Parsons and later helped to organize and served as Scoutmaster of Troop 88 at the church. He served on the BSA's National Camping Inspection Team, and continued in several Scouting capacities after his retirement.

He was a member of Brown-Bishop V.F.W. Post 704, IBEW Local 226, and Chief Black Dog's Trail Muzzleloaders. He had been a ham radio operator since 1953.

He married Bonita C. Johnson in Edwardsville, Illinois, on November 23, 1943, and she survives.

He also is survived by three sons, Richard G. of Parsons, Ronald L. of Lebanon, Kentucky, and John O. of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a daughter, Linda Pfingsten of Lenexa; a sister, Josephine Heitzman of Jerseyville, Illinois; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded by an infant daughter, Bonnie Mae.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. John Chastain officiating.
Burial will follow at Ross Cemetery near Neodesha.
The family will receive friends from 5-6 p.m. Sunday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Parsons.

Memorials may be made to the church's fund for aged ministers, in care of the church or the funeral home.