Gary Dwayne Tucker was born on March 28, 1945, in the Guadalupe Mountains area south of Carlsbad to Iva Merritt Tucker and Thomas Tucker. He was raised in the same area, the youngest of 7 children. As a child, his closest sisters, Jean and Wynoka, were tasked with keeping up with him. Needless to say, they had their work cut out for them.

Gary made a career out of Rodeo, winning multiple titles. He was most proud of the National Finals in 1966, the Bareback World Championship in 1969, and Cheyenne Pioneer Days in

1970. Gary retired from rodeo once both his children were born, and he made rodeo equipment for the next 20-plus years. He then started his second career as an oilfield pumper, retiring in 2010, and then later started working again as a foreman in the oilfield. Gary was very proud of his work and had a work ethic, working until the end.

He married Linda Ann Hobbs on Christmas Eve, 1966. They had two children he was very proud of and five grandchildren he treasured. He also had two great-grandchildren. His family meant everything to him.

Gary Tucker, lifelong resident of Carlsbad, passed away at home on December 9, 2019. Gary is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Tony Tucker and Roxann Johnson; grandchildren, Ross and Bret Johnson; Brady, Garret, and Chance Tucker and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Denise Broadstreet and David Tucker, his sisters, Wynoka Herring and Jean Tucker, numerous nieces and nephews, and several close friends that were very important to him.