Lawrence S. Tucker

Lawrence (Larry) Strike Tucker, age 83, of Ignacio Colorado, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2023 from natural causes. 

He was born of the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes and an enrolled tribal member of the Fort Belknap Reservation in Harlem, MT to his mother Sophie Strike on November 24, 1939 in Harlem Montana and then later adopted by the parents that raised him, Joe and Elaine Tucker in 1940.

Larry served in the United States Air Force from July 23, 1956 to March 17, 1959.  He served most of his time stationed at Thule AFB, Thule, and Greenland. He received a degree in Nursing, in (1979) from the Phoenix College in Arizona.  He also graduated from Fort Lewis College in 1994 where he earned his Bachelor of Arts.

Larry came to live in Ignacio in (1980) and later became a Deacon of the Catholic Church in (2005). As a Catholic Deacon he served the Ignacio Community in various duties such as performing Marriages, Baptisms, Blessings and Funerals. He also served as a Spiritual Leader and Liaison to the members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe who are active in traditional medicine as well as the church.

Larry was known in the community to have a lovable personality that made an impact with whomever he came in contact with.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cecilia Tucker (2022), his daughter Crystal Ann (1988) and son Anthony Lawrence (2017). 

He is survived by his daughter Stacy Nahlee, two granddaughters Crystal Gambino (Israel) and Evelyn Lazero. As well as four great grandchildren: Calista, Calina, Ilijah, and Camilla of Albuquerque, NM; as well as his stepchildren, Brenda Poulton-Jakins, P. Ryan Gallegos and Greg Gallegos. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Travis, April, Israel, Noah and Rochelle and 6 great grandchildren, and many loved friends.

A Rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. on Monday, November 13, 2023 and the Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m., both services will take place at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio.  Burial will follow services at the Ignacio Cemetery (East).