Joe Thomas Tucker, Sr., 70, of Paducah, died Saturday at 6:50 a.m. at Lourdes hospital.

Joe was born December 16, 1941 in Paducah to the late James A. and Anna Marguerite Wilson Tucker. He was a longtime member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. Joe retired from Atmos Gas Company as a corrosion technician and was a member of the Plumbers and Pipe-fitters Union. He was an avid racing fan, particularly NASCAR.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Betty S. Turner Tucker; a daughter, Teresa G. Tucker McKinney and husband, Rick “Bunky”; three sons, Larry J. Tucker, Joe T. Tucker, Jr. and wife Tammy, and Michael J. Tucker and wife Gretchen, all of Paducah; ten grandchildren, Dusty Rupp, Amber Tucker, Christopher Wilson, Katie Tucker, Chandler Tucker, Chelsea Tucker, Blake Wilson, Leaffa Floyd, and Robert Blake; four great-grandchildren, Samantha Wilcox, Trinity Blake, Gabriel Rupp and Emily Rupp; and five half-brothers, Terry Tucker, Timmy Tucker, Jimbo Tucker, John Tucker, and Randy Tucker.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Amanda Elizabeth Tucker; an infant son, Joseph Tucker; a half brother, Jody Eugene Tucker; three grandchildren, David Michael Tucker, Kammi Jo Tucker, and Daniel Mitchell Tucker; daughter in law, Donna Tucker; and his parents.

A funeral mass will be held at noon Wednesday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Rev. Brian Roby officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with the rosary recitation at 5:30 p.m.

Contributions may be made to Knights of Columbus, 3028 Jefferson Street, Paducah, KY 42001 or St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 116 South 6th Street, Paducah, KY 42001.

You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at www.milnerandorr.com.