4/12/23Former fire chiefÕs passing saddens communityBy Debra FerrellAltavista Journal EditorThe Altavista area lost a dedicated man April 8 with the passing of former Altavista fire chief John E. Tucker. It has been announced that a memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 15, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Altavista Fire Company with the Rev. R. G. Rowland officiating.Tucker was last featured in the Altavista Journal when he retired as fire chief in January 2023, handing the reins of leadership over to Altavista Fire Company Assistant Chief Lee Neal. Chief Neal mourns the loss of his dear friend. He shares, ÒJohn was more than a friend; he was my brother for 31 years. We even shared the same birthday! He was someone you could count on no matter what. John would do anything to help anyone he could.Ó He elaborates with, ÒJohn and I shared countless memories together between the fire department and the hunting club we were both in. We also enjoyed times with our familyÕs get togethers. The department wonÕt be same without John, but we will try to make him proud in everything we do from here forward. He was Chief for 18 years and to say our department survived a huge loss would be an understatement. John will be truly missed by the whole department; we all loved him.ÓBack in January, Tucker explained how his friendship with Neal led him to joining the fire department. ÒA conversation with a friend, Lee Neal, inviting me to join the department, was the beginning of my service to the town as a volunteer firefighter,Ó said Tucker at the time. ÒI have no advice for my successor Lee Neal at this time. We have worked side by side for many, many years. During that time, the fire company has been a daily topic of our conversations and I have full confidence in his ability to carry forward the work that we have already begun together. I believe it takes commitment, dedication, a caring heart, and a willingness to serve to become a firefighter. The commitment a volunteer firefighter makes is also a commitment on behalf of their entire family. Many times, families of volunteer firefighters make immeasurable sacrifices in the name of service. The basic level of training necessary to become a firefighter is more than 200 hours.ÓIn the article from the Altavista Journal, Tucker also explained how his grandmother, Georgia Lee Farmer, from an early age instilled in him a Òheart of service.ÓCertainly the Altavista Fire Company benefited from his dedication and loyalty. Many people in the area also benefited from him coming to their rescue in times of need and distress. He will be missed.Born in Lynchburg on November 26, 1969, he was the third born child of Malcolm (Buddy) Tucker and Mary Bennett Humphreys. He grew up in Altavista and after graduating in 1987 from Altavista High School, he attended Central Virginia Community College and The American College, making his career in the financial industry for more than 30 years.ÊHe and his wife Denise met in 1986, married, and have spent 35 years building their home, their life, and their family. Their daughter, Faith Mari,' clearly meant the world to him and he treasured being a dedicated father to her. His obituary tells how he and Denise gained a Òloved and valued sonÓ when Faith Mari' married her husband, Casey. The birth of their grandson, Cooper, allowed Tucker to gain a new role as ÒPapaw,Ó one that was clearly one of his most cherished.ÊHe loved the outdoors and was a farmer, an avid hunter, a fisherman, and Òloved spending time outdoors with family and friends solving the problems of this world, laughing (crying), sharing stories of days gone by and of dreams for the future.ÓÊListening to contemporary Christian music and playing it in the greenhouse for his plants was another delight. ÒIt was very common to hear music blaring as he sang, literally, at the top of his lungs.ÓHis obituary further explains, ÒHe was a man of unwavering faith and conviction and was as equally concerned about the salvation of his fellow man as he was of his own. Throughout his life, John's roles were countless, but first and foremost he was a child of God.ÓÊHe never knew a stranger and his heart of service was obvious in his 30 plus years of dedicated volunteer service and leadership with the Altavista Fire Company, serving first as treasurer, then as Chief of the department for 18 years. ÒHe considered it both an honor and a privilege to serve the town and the county in this way. His service extended far beyond Campbell County in his years of work through deployment as a national first responder with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team.ÓÊHe is also survived by his father and step-mother, Buddy and Marie Tucker, sisters, Lenette McClelland (Tim), Tina Winston (Keith), brother, Bennett Tucker, eight nieces and nephews, parents in law, Lois and Dennis Reynolds, his faithful dog, Shadow, and countless friends who were more like family.ÊIn his memory, donations may be made to Greenfield Baptist Church 384 Fairmont Road, Gretna, VA 24557 or Altavista Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 208 Altavista, VA 24517.ÊHis family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Joshua Morales, McLendon McGhee NP, and the kindhearted nurses and staff of Blue Ridge Cancer Care, to Dr. Niharika Mettu, Dr. Peter Alan, and Dr. Dan Blazer of Duke Cancer Center, and to their amazing hospice nurse, Mary Heath, whose care and compassion have been beyond measure and all of whom left no stone unturned in helping him receive life extending treatment.ÊFinch and Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista is in charge of arrangements.