Lawrence William Franklin Tucker, 84, of Grant Town, passed away Monday, June 24, 2019. He was born in Grant Town on December 18, 1934, son of the late Jesse Lloyd Tucker and Annie Rachel Dillard Tucker.

Lawrence was a graduate of Dunbar High School, where he was an outstanding football player. He was selected to the All State First Team as a running back for the West Virginia high school All Negro League. Lawrence was widely known in Grant Town (the town he dearly loved) as a people-person and for his humor and good spirit. At an early age, he received Christ into his life, and became a member of Mt. Beulah Baptist Church.

He was a veteran of the 82 ^nd Airborne Division of the United States Army where he received the National Defense Service Medal.

Lawrence married his childhood sweetheart, Evelyn Jones Tucker and became parents of Ronnie, Donnie, and Annie.

He was employed at Eastern Coal Association and a member of the UMWA Local 4047. Due to his hard work and diligence, he was promoted to management with Eastern Associated Coal Company, Federal Number 1 Mine, becoming the first African American at EACC to obtain such a position. He retired as a management employee from Eastern Associated Coal/Peabody Coal Company after 35 years of service.

He was an avid hunter and was known as the "Deer Slayer." He also enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was the BBQ Master Chef for family cookouts and Mt. Beulah Baptist Church fundraising events.

He was a volunteer caretaker at the Mt. Beulah Baptist Church in Grant Town where he received many commendations for his service. He was also awarded the Grant Town Positive Citizen of the Year Award.

He was a fan of all sports, especially WVU Mountaineer football and basketball and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was especially proud of his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Evelyn Jones Tucker; sons: Ronnie L. Tucker of Fairmont, and Donnie L. (Linda) Tucker of Morgantown; grandchildren: Rachel (Cameron) Hefner, Dr. Jordan Tucker, Lawren Linear, Kayla D. Tucker Smell, and Jessica Linear; great grandchildren: Kingston Spain, Phoebe Hefner, Lennox Hefner, and Avery Lawrence Linear; a sister, Elizabeth Roach of Bronx, NY; sisters-in-law: Cornelia Robinson, Elizabeth Jones, and Claudia Jones; five nephews, three nieces, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Lawrence was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Annie Maria Tucker-Linear (who was the apple of his eye); siblings: Lloyd R. Tucker, James Tucker, Malcolm Tucker, and Anna Holloway; sister-in-law: Elsie Tucker, and brother-in-law, George Holloway.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Charles Reed, DeWayne Jarvis, Cedric & Cindy Black, and Anthony Haley for their help whenever it was needed.

The family will receive friends at Mt. Beulah Baptist Church in Grant Town on Saturday, June 29, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until Noon. The funeral service will begin at Noon with Rev. Robert L. Daniels officiating, assisted by Rev. LeRoy Harris and Rev. Paul Mitchell.

Interment will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Fairmont where full military rites will be performed by the Marion County Honor Guard. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com.