Wayne Tucker

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Wayne Irvin Tucker, age 94, of Oronogo, Missouri passed away at Freeman Hospital in Joplin on February 21, 2026.

Wayne was born on January 24, 1932 in the Imperial Valley, California to Kyle and Eva Tucker. He was a graduate of the 1949 class of Joplin High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Missouri, and was a Certified Public Accountant.

After graduation, he served in the United States Army in Alaska during the Korean War. He spent his professional life in service to his country working for the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) in the United States, Germany and Panama, and for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Dallas, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico. After federal service, he worked for the accounting firm Peat Marwick (KPMG).

Wayne returned to Joplin after retirement, started a vineyard, and was a longtime member of Byers Avenue Methodist Church. He also loved sailing, and playing bridge.

Wayne is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, his eldest daughter, Connant Palmer, his sister, Virginia Jones, and the family’s parrot, Sam. He is survived by son Kyle Tucker of Oronogo, Missouri and daughter Bari Pitcher (and her husband Eric) of Stark City, Missouri, seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, plus extended family and numerous friends.

Graveside service will be at 2:00 pm Friday February 27, 2026 at Pleasant Hill Country Church Cemetery, with Reverend Chuck Kralik officiating. The family will receive friends at 5:00-6:00 pm Thursday February 26 at Mason-Woodard in Joplin, Missouri.