David Tucker passed away on June 13 after a four-month battle with cancer. Born in Rockford, Illinois, he moved to California with his family when he was a teenager. He spent several years in Santa Barbara where his family settled, and he graduated from UCSB.

David met Helen Espitallier, they married and eventually moved to the Sacramento area, finally settling in Cameron Park, where David could be near his beloved Sierras.  There they raised two daughters, Whitney Tucker and Dana Tucker.

David was a unique personality and did things his way.  He was a bit of an outsider and didn’t care much about conforming. It was that authenticity that endeared him to others.

An honorable man, he was non-judgmental, empathetic, and had an easy, go-with-the-flow sense of humor. He never took himself too seriously, but was fiercely passionate about the issues he cared about, including politics.

A nature lover, he was fascinated by geography and geology and could be found outdoors in all weather. He especially loved the mountains, and could cite the names and elevations of every mountain peak, even naming his daughters after the mountains he loved.

If he wasn’t at work or home, he was hiking, exploring or fishing, for many years with the family dog Diamond by his side.

David had a love for music of all kinds and was a self-taught guitarist who wrote his own songs and gave mini-concerts and his own CDs to family and friends. He was a loyal San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan, and spent many hours sitting outside listening to games on his transistor radio.

He wasn’t interested in fancy things — he loved a good bargain, a good barbecue, and a cold beer. His fashion sense left much to be desired, and he always got a kick out of his daughters’ attempts to upgrade his wardrobe.

David worked in the engineering field for 30 years, first for Fair Oaks Water District, then for the City of Galt before he retired in 2007. In both agencies, he was a skilled, respected, and well-liked colleague.

David’s family was No. 1 to him. He was happiest when they were together on a hike, at a ball game, or playing music. His passing leaves a hole in the family.

He was a loving husband to his wife of 48 years, Helen Tucker, and a proud father to his two daughters, Whitney Tucker and Dana Tucker. He will also be dearly missed by his brother Robert Tucker and sister-in-law Barbara Tucker, and by his sister Janice “Joy-An” Tucker.

He was uncle to Katie and Nathan Tucker and Gregory and Kat Tucker. He was fond brother-in-law to Mary Jane and Alan Miller; uncle to Colin and Vanessa Miller, Andrew and Giana Miller, Bailey and Tricia Miller, Scott Miller and Janelle Vogel.

David spent happy childhood years with cousins Jeanne Ucker Woodman, Bobby Ucker (d) and his Andrews cousins: Carl Jr. (d),  David, Sukie, Greg and Bruce. His Tucker cousins include Tim Larson and Steve Larson and many others now scattered throughout the country.

He was great-uncle to many and great friend to many more. He will be forever missed by his family and friends.