LOWELL -- One of Mayor Eldon Long's last memories of Elza Tucker, a respected community leader and World War II veteran, involved an enthusiastic handshake and greeting at Tucker's 100th birthday.
The centenarian immediately asked Long how he was doing, beating Long to the question, which wasn't unlike him. People who knew Tucker will remember him as friendly and conversational with a joyous spirit for volunteering, Long said.
Tucker died Monday morning at Circle of Life hospice home in Bentonville.
He was the firstborn to Walter and Minnie Tucker and brother to Raymond and Jessie Mae. He was born July 13, 1918, in Mudtown, a community just outside Lowell. He spent most of his life in the area, except the four years he served as a staff sergeant overseas for the U.S. Army during World War II.
Tucker enlisted in the Army in 1941 and became part of the Army's 2nd Armored Division known as "Hell on Wheels." He fought in the Battle of Normandy and kept memorabilia from his time in the war he would later share with the Lowell Historical Museum. He earned a Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Emblem, the French Croix de Guerre and an American Defense Service Medal among other military awards.
It was Tucker's dream of preserving Lowell's history for future generations that led to the founding of the Lowell Historical Museum in 1976, said Liz Estes, the museum's director. The museum displays pieces of Elza Tucker's history, allowing a special connection for those he met while working at the museum.
Estes thinks his contributions as co-founder represent his generous and personable nature, she said. He was also a member of the Lowell Historical Committee.
"He always greeted visitors to the museum as if they were personal friends," Estes said.
Grandson Trevor Tucker remembers hearing war stories and his grandfather's promise "to be a godly man if he made it back alive."
Treveor Tucker said, "He never dropped that promise."
Elza Tucker served as a Sunday school teacher and deacon of First Baptist Church of Lowell for more than 40 years, a letter carrier and postmaster for 31 years, a member of the volunteer fire department for 20 years and the city's street superintendent for 19 years. He was also part of the first Lowell Planning Commission and served one term on the Benton County Quorum Court.
The Rogers School District opened a school Aug. 18, 2004 -- the Elza R. Tucker Elementary and Middle School.
Former Arvest Bank president Greg Stanfill offered Tucker a job to greet customers and prepare popcorn at the Lowell bank. He gladly accepted the job when he was in his early 80s and worked for at least 10 years, Stanfill said.
Rogers lawyer David Matthews attended his Sunday school classes as a child and considered him a friend as he grew older, he said.
"His whole life can be summed up in his devotion to God, country, community and family," Matthews said.
Tucker married Doris Shaver in December 1944 and had two sons, Ricky and Tim.
"We know he's happy to be in heaven with his wife and two sons," Trevor Tucker said.
Stanley created a GoFundMe page to ask for donations for funeral expenses. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Aug. 6 at First Baptist Church of Lowell. The funeral service is 10 a.m. Aug. 7 at the church, followed by an interment at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale.
NW News on 08/01/2018