Richard Dean “Doc” Tucker, of Okmulgee, formerly of Ada and Meeker, Oklahoma, died on September 14, 2016, just a week prior to his 76th birthday. Dr. Tucker was born on September 22, 1940, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Katherine Burson and Carver Hearn Tucker.

He attended grade and secondary schools in Fayette, Alabama, college at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, and completed his degree in Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, in 1967. An exemplary student, hewas awarded the Upjohn Award for Proficiency in Large Animal Medicine. Moving to Oklahoma, he became a partner in the Ada Veterinary Clinic, where he remained until he established the Ada Equine Clinic. Widely recognized in the horse industry for his veterinary skills, Dr. Tucker worked both private horse farms and at Remington Racetrack. Retiring to Meeker, he pursued his dream of establishing a vineyard and produced quality grapes for Oklahoma wineries. He was a member of the Oklahoma
Grape Growers Association, the Oklahoma and American Equine Associations, and the Oklahoma and American Veterinary Medicine Associations.

Dr. Tucker is survived by three children, Dean Tucker and wife, Julie of Richland, Oregon; Beth Walker of Vanoss, Oklahoma; Dona-Karel Doffin and husband, Randy, of Vanoss, Oklahoma, his sister, Lorraine Whitley, of Fayette, Alabama, and best friend and long-time companion, Joyce Bradford of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; six grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. A Celebration of Life is pending.