Published: July 19, 2008 11:59 pm         

Edgar A. “Barney” Tucker [Columbia]

Edgar Allen “Barney” Tucker, 77, of Columbia, S.C., passed away Friday, July 18, 2008, at the home of his son.

Born June 24, 1931, in Cumberland, he was the son of the late Glen and Mildred Tucker.

Mr. Tucker graduated from Fort Hill High School in 1949, where he played football under Coach Bill Hahn. He then attended Shepherd College from 1949-1951 and from 1954-1957 where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He entered the United States Air Force in 1951-1953, where he flew 55 Combat Missions in the Korean War earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He then received his Masters Degree in Physical Education from West Virginia University. He was a teacher and coach at Ridgeley High School from 1957-1961; then at Oldtown High School from 1961-1972. He then became a teacher at Fort Hill High School in 1972 until 1982, when he retired.

He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Shepherd University in 1995, and was a member of the undefeated 1955 football team. After his retirement, he was a volunteer at Interfaith Consortium, Vista, Allegany County food bank, Memorial Hospital (Cumberland), Self Memorial Hospital (Greenwood, S.C.), and Lexington Medical Hospital, (S.C.).

He enjoyed going to church, (where he was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Columbia); wood crafts, fishing, boating, traveling, and spending time with and spoiling his grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Wanda (Matthew) Tucker, whom he married on Oct. 27, 1951; two sons, Jeffrey Tucker and wife Terri, of Waterloo, S.C., and Matthew Tucker and wife Joyce, of Irmo, S.C.; a daughter, Lisa Strauss and husband Howard; six grandchildren, Joshua Tucker, of Waterloo, Tiffany Tucker, of Irmo, Brandon Long and Amanda, of Charlestown, W.Va., Desiree Eilers and John, of Snowshoe, W.Va., Isaac Strauss, of Cumberland, Harrison Strauss, of Cumberland; and one great-grandchild, Adelaide Eilers, of Snowshoe.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Ave., Cumberland ( scarpellifh.com) on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home on Tuesday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Thomas Gulbronson officiating.

Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park

Military honors will be accorded by the Post 13 Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Greenway Avenue Stadium Fund, Allegany County Board of Education, 108 Washington St., Cumberland, MD 21502, Attention Mia Perlozzo.