BajaNomad - Death of a Nomad

Death of a Nomad

Natalie Ann - 2-27-2006 at 08:45 AM

It is my sad task to tell you all of the death of our fellow Nomad and my dear friend Charles Tucker.

After being unable to reach Charles by phone for two days, a friend went to the house on Sunday and found Charles had died. The friend called me immediately, and I have been in communication with Charles' family.

Charles was a kind man with a good heart and a wonderful sense of humor, and I shall miss him very much. Prayers for his family are welcomed.

Here's a photo of Charles taken last November:

capt. mike - 2-27-2006 at 08:47 AM

was this "tucker" from la paz?

Natalie Ann - 2-27-2006 at 08:49 AM

yes indeed, Cpt Mike, Tucker from La Paz...
El Centenario, to be exact.

Bruce R Leech - 2-27-2006 at 08:55 AM

thank you for letting us know Natalie Ann our thoughts and Prayers go out for his family and friends like you.

David K - 2-27-2006 at 08:57 AM

'Tucker' took us to a fine dinner in La Paz at Mar Y Pe?a, where this photo of us was taken in Dec. 2001... Vaya Con Dios Charles...

Pompano - 2-27-2006 at 09:02 AM

We are very sad to hear of the passing of Tucker. Our thoughts and prayers to his family. He will be missed. Rest in peace, good fellow.

ursidae69 - 2-27-2006 at 09:16 AM

I enjoyed his posts around here, RIP amigo.

Tucker

bajajudy - 2-27-2006 at 09:24 AM

I was sure looking forward to meeting him one day. We had discussed a taco at the new Gonzalez Hermanos near his place.

My thoughts are with his family and all of his friends, many of whom are Nomads.

How sad

Taco de Baja - 2-27-2006 at 09:28 AM

He will be missed.
Prayers to friends and family.

Debra - 2-27-2006 at 10:10 AM

OH NO! That's awful! Do they know what happened Nat.? I just heard from him last week or so, again inviting Brendan and myself down for a visit.

Please tell his family our prayers are with them, he will indeed be missed.

Diver - 2-27-2006 at 10:14 AM

Tucker and I had cooresponded a few months back and I had planned to stop in and see him when we were down. When I told him my wife and kids would be along, he jokingly asked for a home-cooked meal; apparently his bachelor life didn't include haute cuisine.

Now I feel really bad. Very sorry I didn't get to meet him.
Tucker, like JR, seems much too young .....

Rest in peace.

Debra - 2-27-2006 at 10:21 AM

Yes Diver, I too owe him some spagitti.........I told him I couldn't stop on this trip down, (too short of time to go that far) so I promised to bring him some this summer......UGH!

Natalie Ann - 2-27-2006 at 10:52 AM

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I know the family appreciates your sentiments, as do I.

Yep, Diver, one thing Tucker did love was a good home-cooked meal. And I know he'd been lookin' forward to that spaghetti, Debra, and to time with you and Brendan.

To answer your question Debra, I do not know the cause of his death. I do know that he'd been feeling ill all week, but was doing ok on Friday. Come Saturday he could not be reached by phone. By Sunday friends were concerned and went to check on him. Death must have come suddenly, thank god, as Charles was found at his computer.

Communication with his family and friends by email and skype, and tuning in to our Nomads forums were two of his pleasures... so I feel he was having a nice time when death overcame him. I don't know what more any of us can ask.

[Edited on 2-27-2006 by Natalie Ann]

Debra - 2-27-2006 at 11:00 AM

Thanks Nat, it's good to know that he didn't suffer at least.

Neal Johns - 2-27-2006 at 12:08 PM

I didn't really know Tucker, but enjoyed reading his posts. I fear the Nomads are ageing all too fast.

Tucker was a Man!

Skeet/Loreto - 2-27-2006 at 05:21 PM

Charles Tucker was one Hellava Good Man!
He had been a "Man working with his Hands all of his Life".
When you met him and looked into his piercing Blue Eyes, and felt the Strong Grip of his hand, you just knew that you were meeting some one Special.
He was tall and Ganely, well spoken and "Direct to the Bone".His Knowledge was of the Street and the world.
His Kindness, caring , and interest in his Mexicano Neighbors was reflected in his stories of his Friends.
Go in Peace my Friend, someday we will swing the ladies around the Floor of the Old Fresno Barn to the Music of Buck Owens and the Buckoroos!!

Tucker's posted 'signature'...

Mexray - 2-27-2006 at 06:15 PM

"I think it would be a good idea."
-- Mahatma Gandhi, when asked what he thought of Western civilization

Here's hoping Tucker is now soaring with the eagles as shown in his avatar on each posting.

Adi?s, mi amigo...

[Edited on 2-28-2006 by Mexray]

Tucker & J.R.

Lester - 2-27-2006 at 06:49 PM

Sorry to hear of Tucker's and J.R.'s passing . I don't post much but I do read the board quite regularly and certainly enjoyed their posts. May they both rest in peace.

Natalie Ann - 2-27-2006 at 08:04 PM

Again, my heartfelt thanks to each of you. Charles' son, Chuck Jr, is now in La Paz; I will be speaking with him later this evening. I'm certain he will feel pleased when he reads these caring posts from friends both personal and virtual.

BOLABOUND - 2-27-2006 at 08:16 PM

You know JR is talking about his bamboo with him just like I spoke to him

hours before he went upstairs.

Lets not be sad which is hard but happy in a way, Nos veremos pronto yo

creo que todos estamos cerca siempre de irnos.

It doesnt matter if your frigen 33 or 63 you can go anytime.

My condolences.

BOLABOUND

I only knew Tucker from the Baja board

Gypsy Jan - 2-27-2006 at 08:29 PM

and now, I deeply regret that I didn't know him personally.

I enjoyed his posts; intelligent, insightful and witty.

Is there a Baja Nomads members club in the afterlife?

I'm willing to pay upfront on the dues.

[Edited on 2-28-2006 by Gypsy Jan]

djh - 2-27-2006 at 09:16 PM

I never met Charles personally, but I enjoyed his posts here too.

I just spent a little time re-reading most of his many posts. I encourage you to do so too.

After reading, I am again impressed that Charles could disagree without being disagreeable. I hope his attitude and gentle spirit continues to influence us all.

It is easy for us to respect the people we agree with. It is also easy to marginalize people we don't agree with, and to call names... ("redneck", "lib", etc.)

We really show what WE are each made of when we respect others who have a different opinion, attitude, perspective, political leaning, etc.

A belated thank you to Charles for setting a nice tone!

Baja no mad

djh

jeans - 2-28-2006 at 01:17 AM

Aw...damn...Charles was a good friend....He put me up a few times.

Does his little dog have a home?

The last time he took me out to dinner, we pulled into the driveway of a little restaurant and he said in his humble way..."This isn't any place special".

"Charles", I gently chided..."When you take a woman out to dinner, you shouldn't tell her the restaurant's "nothing special". He laughed and said "This is the best place in town! And it was....

Typing this through tears....

Paulina - 2-28-2006 at 01:21 AM

I am really sorry.

<*)))><

Natalie Ann - 2-28-2006 at 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeans
Aw...damn...Charles was a good friend....He put me up a few times.

Does his little dog have a home?

You remember how much Charles loved that pooch, Jeans? Well, almost two years ago Charles learned that his brother in Oregon had terminal cancer and was not expected to live much longer. Charles and the little dog (darn! I can't remember it's name) bundled into the van and began the long drive north to Oregon to visit his brother and family (Charles did not like to fly in commercial aircraft).

During the time spent in Oregon, Charles' brother fell in love with that tiny dog... and as always, quietly doing more for others than for himself, Charles kissed his beloved doggie goodbye and left him with the brother to ease the pain of dying. No, it was not Charles' initial intention to do so... but although it broke his heart to leave that tiny companion behind, he knew the joy his brother would receive.

I believe Charles' brother lived over a year after that dog arrived. There wasn't a time I visited Charles that we did not talk about that teensie canine. I could tell he missed it terribly. But never did he regret having given up his companion in order that his brother might end life assisted by that tiny ball of joy, that little dog.

BTW little dog lives on with the family in Oregon.

[Edited on 2-28-2006 by Natalie Ann]

Eli - 2-28-2006 at 03:04 PM

I will be forever grateful to NatalieAnn for bringing Charles by to meet me.

I am gald to report that one short visit, along with the wit of his post leave a sweet memory to cherish.

Thank You Charles for the smile that thoughts of you always provide and Happy Trails Amigo, look forward to meeting you again in the sweet bye and bye.

Saludos, Sara

[Edited on 2-28-2006 by Eli]

Marie-Rose - 2-28-2006 at 08:00 PM

I was so very saddened to hear the news of Tuckers passing. I know that he is now enjoying an unlimited amount of crunchy peanut butter!!! It was his one request
from a fellow nomad every time she passed thru!

Natalie Ann - 2-28-2006 at 10:16 PM

This is Nena/Natalie Ann posting a message from a friend of Charles.

From Bedo:

I knew Charles Tucker for a couple years and he was a wonderfully "gentle man" full of quiet humor, kind and helpful to me always. I miss him, and will more and more as time goes by.

You all might remember Aaron, the boy in San Bartolo who needed financial help to get medical help for a serious heart problem? Charles was instrumental in getting money to the family, offred his driving, and any other assistance he was capable of.

Tucker was no fanfare but real. Wonderful friend - if there were just more like him in our world and we wouldn't be in this mess.

jeans - 2-28-2006 at 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann

You remember how much Charles loved that pooch, Jeans? Well, almost two years ago Charles learned that his brother in Oregon had terminal cancer and was not expected to live much longer. Charles and the little dog (darn! I can't remember it's name) bundled into the van and began the long drive north to Oregon to visit his brother and family (Charles did not like to fly in commercial aircraft).

During the time spent in Oregon, Charles' brother fell in love with that tiny dog... and as always, quietly doing more for others than for himself, Charles kissed his beloved doggie goodbye and left him with the brother to ease the pain of dying. No, it was not Charles' initial intention to do so... but although it broke his heart to leave that tiny companion behind, he knew the joy his brother would receive.

I believe Charles' brother lived over a year after that dog arrived. There wasn't a time I visited Charles that we did not talk about that teensie canine. I could tell he missed it terribly. But never did he regret having given up his companion in order that his brother might end life assisted by that tiny ball of joy, that little dog.

BTW little dog lives on with the family in Oregon.

[Edited on 2-28-2006 by Natalie Ann]

Was her name Lacy? I remember Charles mentioning his trip, but not giving the dog to his ill brother....a very selfless jesture....

Thank you for letting us all know...

Descanse en Paz

BAJACAT - 2-28-2006 at 10:42 PM

:no:

David K - 3-1-2006 at 12:16 AM

Quite a while ago someone spotted the strange, alien-like mural of a 'glowing green man'... about the time Gene Kira wrote about a glowing green man near Agua Verde.

Tucker sent me photos taken by a friend of his of the mural and a year or so later drove out to the site and took a new photo and got the GPS waypoint for the site... then sent that to me to share with all of you on the Internet...

I think the mural is probably mostly a memory now, but I still have the web page... Have a look... THANKS to Tucker!

http://community-2.webtv.net/Boojum1/Glowman

[Edited on 3-1-2006 by David K]

capt. mike - 3-1-2006 at 06:30 AM

is that not a trick foto? looks fake to me. sorta brushed in. adobe foto shop kinda thang?

Capt. George - 3-1-2006 at 07:51 AM

Vio Con Dios..........

David K - 3-1-2006 at 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
is that not a trick foto? looks fake to me. sorta brushed in. adobe foto shop kinda thang?

No Mike, many have seen it, including Tucker who took his own photo of it... click on the link I provided to see the other photos...

I was asked to post this....

jeans - 3-3-2006 at 01:29 AM

I sent a note to Stephanie Jackter...I knew she and her kids had spent a summer house-sitting for Charles a few years back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey jeans, Do me a favor and post this on the board for me. I don't remember what my password and user name were and don't have time to hassle with re-registration....

My condolences go out to Charles' family and everyone on the board who knew him. My kids and I spent a summer house sitting and half destroying poor Charles' house in El Centenario and had one of the funnest summers of our lives. Charles was gone for most of that time, but you really get a feel for what someone is like when you putz around their house for a time. He definitely was not the cookin' type, as some of you have mentioned. The kitchen was pretty spotless, but mostly from lack of use. I've never seen barer cupboards in my life. All I could figure is he must have had a close relationship with the Pizza delivery restaurant down the way!

During the time we got to talk before and after he got back, he spoke a good deal about his boys. He was very proud of you and your brother, Chuck, and talked a good bit about his history of service and your very interesting careers.

We brought our dog with us on that trip and even though Charles didn't have a dog at the time, he told us about the dogs he'd loved most in his life and I remember thinking "This guy needs a new dog". He was probably thinking the same thing, as he got the next little guy not long after that.

I'm afraid I half killed his ice plants and geraniums when I didn't see where one of the irrigation spiggots was and let them suffer a whole month without water. A monsoon wind came in and the curtains knocked his beautifull golden ceramic eagle to smitherines, and a stray kitten made it in and did a big doo on Charles' favorite chair. I cleaned the damages as well as I could and went to downtown La Paz and got him that big polished wood carved eagle with the big wingspan in apology. I'm sure it didn't replace the sentimental value of the other one, but he was very forgiving about the whole thing, as seemed to be his nature all the way around, and even invited us to come again and house sit the next summer.

I was very obese and unhealthy when I met Charles and was just getting around on pure grit, but I instantly vibed in on him as one of those people who accepts people with all their limitations and not a whole lot of judgement. The kids and I weren't able to get to La Paz for the past few years and I lost touch with him after I got weight loss surgery and got healthy again. I was so looking forward to dropping in on him and having him not even recognize me this summer. But I guess that'll have to wait.

I'm glad to hear someone's taking care of the dog and hope the eagle collection finds a good home too. Here's hoping he's up there soaring with a feathery six foot wing span.

Sorry to hear about J.R. too. Hope he's resting in peace as well. I know they had met, so they may well be having a big chat in the afterlife right now. See ya'll later. - Stephanie Jackter

Son_of_Tucker - 3-3-2006 at 04:43 PM

Thanks to everyone for the kind words about my Father.

A graveside memorial service is scheduled for 1 o'clock Monday in Bakersfield at the Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery.

Thank you all..
Chuck Jr.

[Edited on 3-3-2006 by Son_of_Tucker]

Bob and Susan - 3-3-2006 at 05:03 PM

...he was a hell of a guy chuck...

PJC - 3-3-2006 at 05:53 PM

Is there a fund established to help with the burial costs etc.?

Natalie Ann - 3-4-2006 at 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PJC
Is there a fund established to help with the burial costs etc.?

I am interested in making a donation in Charles' memory, but at this point I know of no fund to help with costs nor towards donation to a particular organization. I have written Chuck Jr. to ask about this, and imagine that we'll hear from him sometime next week after the services in Bakersfield.

Baja Bernie - 3-5-2006 at 10:41 AM

I never met the man but from what has been written here that was definitely my loss. Paz

bajalera - 3-5-2006 at 03:52 PM

We've lost a really nice, witty and intelligent man, who never lost his zest for living even when not feeling well. He'll be missed.

Good medicine

Sharksbaja - 3-11-2006 at 01:12 AM

Seems to me this fun, easy goin' gentleman had something over a few of us........... Baja kindness, thanks Tucker
rest in peace

Son_of_Tucker - 3-13-2006 at 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann

Quote:

Originally posted by PJC
Is there a fund established to help with the burial costs etc.?

The offer is appreciated, but no help is needed with burial or associated costs.

For anyone wishing to make a "donation" in my father's memory, please just do this - Help someone in need, do it without any fanfare, just do it because it's the right thing to do.

I'm in La Paz for the rest of this week taking care of things here. Thanks once again for the kind words about my dad.

Chuck Jr.

The acorn doesn't fall far...

Dave - 3-14-2006 at 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Son_of_Tucker
For anyone wishing to make a "donation" in my father's memory, please just do this - Help someone in need, do it without any fanfare, just do it because it's the right thing to do.

The living legacy of righteous man is:

Raising honorable children.

Your dad left this world a better place.

My sincere condolences.

Diver - 3-14-2006 at 01:09 PM

Well said Dave.

And peace to you "Son of Tucker".

Dave, what you posted above

Gypsy Jan - 3-14-2006 at 08:52 PM

brought me to tears.

Elegant, eloquent and so true.

The place (Baja) and the people who visit are what I love about this board.

Vaya con dios, Tucker

Cardon - 4-3-2006 at 10:21 PM

Frizkie asked me to post this photo for her. She said she took the photo shortly after Tucker got the puppy. The puppy's name is Chico.

Thank you Craig

frizkie - 4-3-2006 at 10:43 PM

Rest in Peace My Good Friend Charles

Tucker

alivenbaja - 4-4-2006 at 11:56 AM

although I didn't know him, I am sure he would have been happy to know how so manny people treasured him

Son_of_Tucker - 4-5-2006 at 07:45 PM

Frizkie,

Thanks for having Craig post the picture, it's one that I hadn't seen before.

Chuck Jr.

You're welcome, Chuck Jr.

frizkie - 4-6-2006 at 10:41 PM

So sorry for your loss.
Your father was a very good man. And a dear friend of mine for the past four years. He was one of a kind. And one of the most hospitable people I have ever met.
When I first joined Nomads, and was lurking in the background, reading more than posting, I kept reading about other nomads who had been helped out by your dad one way or another. Often puting them up at his place on their trips throughout Baja. I thought, "What a nice man that Charles Tucker seems to be." I was about to make my annual winter migration from Victoria, Canada, to Baja Sur and I read that he really loved his Crunchy Peanut Butter but could not purchase it in LaPaz. So, without having met him, I decided that if he did so many nice things for people then it was his turn to have a favour. I got directions to his place in El Centenario from JR, and showed up at his door with two huge jars of Crunchy Peanut Butter. I was given a warm welcome. I hadn't meant to stay but he talked me into it. We became fast friends and every year since I have brought him down his Crunchy Peanut Butter.
He had a big heart, and was loved and respected by many in his community. Isobel and Gustav, and their girls, must feel a great loss. Please, if you see them, pass on my condolences. As well as to you and your family. Also a liitle scratch behind the ear for Chico.
Barbara

Mexitron - 5-30-2006 at 11:18 AM

Sounded like a cool guy...lo siento tucker...via con dios!