Donald James Tucker was born on November 22, 1914, in Long Beach, California, the seventh of eight children born to Lawrence and Cora Jane Tucker. He grew up in Long Beach, graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1932 and attended Long Beach City College.

As a young man, he made a trip to Indianapolis, Indiana, with his brother June to see the Indy 500, experienced and survived the Long Beach earthquake of 1933, was a witness to a bank robbery, and met Ethel Judson on a blind date arranged by their good friends Weaver and Marie Layne. Don and Ethel were married on February 3rd, 1939, and their marriage was blessed with four children, Judy, Gary, and twins Linda and Leslie.

Don served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. After his discharge in October, 1945, he began a career as an accountant. He founded his own accounting firm in 1959, making his son, Gary, a partner in 1974.

Music was a continuing interest of Don's. He played the saxophone and clarinet in a dance band, took piano lessons along with his daughters, and enjoyed the musical pursuits of his grandchildren.

Valeria Aguiar, an exchange student from Brazil, became part of the family in 1963. Don and Ethel visited Valeria's family in Brazil in 1970, and maintained a close relationship with the Aguiars.

Don retired when he was about seventy, but remained active at his favorite hobby, trap and skeet shooting. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was a member of the International City Lodge, #389, of Free and Accepted Masons, Long Beach Scottish Rite, and El Bekal Shrine Temple, where he was a past president of the Greeters, and a member of the Royal Order of Jesters. Don was initiated as an apprentice May 19, 1975, and was raised to the degree of Master Mason, June 8, 1981.

He also was active in the Lions Club, the Optimists Club, Long Beach Petroleum Club, the Hilltoppers Motorcycle Club, and the Society of California Accountants.

Don departed this life on Thursday, March 27, 1997, in Redlands, California, at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife, Ethel, son, Gary, three daughters, Judy Arnett, Linda Wride, and Leslie Walker, and several grandchildren (9 grandchildren, 6 greatgrandchildren).