Robert Tucker

Robert B. Tucker, a visionary entrepreneur and the revered patriarch of SHOE SHOW, INC., ascended to glory on September 30, 2023. We celebrate the life of a man whose journey was a testament to the boundless potential of dedication and faith. Bob's indomitable spirit, unparalleled business acumen, and unwavering commitment to community enrichment has left an enduring mark on this world. To God be the Glory.

Once upon a time on August 5th 1937 in the modest town of Badin, NC, Robert Bright Deese came into the world born to Gertrude Cranford Deese and Robert Deese. His early years were marked by the loving support of his resilient mother.  The marriage ended a few years later and Gertrude and her baby lived with her parents (Bon and Ardelia Cranford) in Albemarle near Morrow Mountain.

Gertrude, a woman of unyielding determination, ventured north during the wartime era in pursuit of opportunities in defense plants. Learning the craft of welding in Charlotte, she secured a well-paying position at the Goodyear Aircraft Corporation in Akron, Ohio. Bobby, her devoted son, soon joined her in Akron, occasionally returning to spend summers with his grandparents on their farm near Morrow Mountain.

In the post-war years, his mother's marriage to Hugh Tucker brought about a change in Bob's name, from Robert Bright Deese to Robert Bright Tucker, a measure to ease confusion at school. Hugh Tucker was the proprietor of Concord's renowned Tuck's Tavern, a cherished hangout for local youth. Bob immersed himself in work, serving as a cook and curb boy at the establishment. Beyond the midnight hour, he diligently cleaned the parking lots of an ice cream shop and another local restaurant.

While still in high school and a member of the track team, Bob's ambition led him to secure a job at Baucom's Shoe Store during his senior year. The rest is history because that launched him into opening his own store, which he and his wife Carolyn Clark Tucker named SHOE SHOW, a retail giant that first graced Main Street in downtown Kannapolis.

Bob Tucker is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Gertrude Tucker, and his infant son, Preston Clark Tucker.

He is survived by his cherished wife and soulmate of 66 years, Carolyn Clark Tucker, and their four children: Jacqueline Tucker, Robert (Bobby) Tucker and his wife Tammy, Greg Tucker and his wife Jean, and Lisa Tucker and her wife Jami. He leaves behind a legacy of love, extending to grandchildren, David Linker, Dominique DeLaney (Andrew), Lyndon Tucker (Carla), Chase Tucker (Megan), Caroline Josey (Matt), Chelsea Parker (Chad), Arianna Fink (Austin) and numerous great-grandchildren.

The Tucker family extends heartfelt gratitude to individuals such as Steve Moore, Terry Straite, and the countless caregivers who tenderly cared for Bob in his later years.

In lieu of flowers, the Tucker family kindly requests that memorials be directed to the Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Foundation, PO Box 648, Concord, NC 28026. In honoring Bob Tucker's memory, may we all strive to continue the legacy of faith, fortitude, and generosity that defined his remarkable life.

Services will be held at North Kannapolis Baptist Church, 312 Locust Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081 on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation to follow.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.