Elmer Emmett Tucker, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2011 in Nampa of Myasthenia Gravis. He was born on August 22, 1916 in Boise, Idaho to Arland and Mell Nora (Rhodes) Tucker, Idaho pioneers. He was the eleventh of twelve children and the first to complete high school, graduating from Kuna High School in 1934 where he excelled in baseball.

On December 31, 1938, Elmer and Nellie Beckdolt were married. Elmer started farming near Kuna with a bank loan and borrowed draft horses. After WWII, he hired on the Union Pacific Railroad as a locomotive fireman, retiring as a locomotive engineer in 1978. He was Secretary-Treasure of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman Local in Nampa. Elmer and Nellie were members of the Kuna United Methodist Church. They resided in Kuna, Glenns Ferry and in Nampa on Airport Road since 1978. Elmer enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family, and traveling the United States and Alaska. He loved to "horse-trade" livestock, vehicles and property. After Nellie was diagnosed with Alzheimers Dementia, Elmer faithfully cared for her at home and then over-saw her care at assisted living facilities.

Elmer was predeceased by his parents, wife Nellie, son Ron, sister and brother in law Lucy (Tucker) and George Reynolds, ten brothers and their wives, Amos, Guy, Lewis (Blanche), Henry (Ruth), Cecil (Loretta), Claude (Opal), Alvin, Roger (Audrey), Neal (Gladys) and Raymond.

Survivors include children and spouses, Donna Jo and Dennis Dirks of Bonners Ferry, ID, Ken and Diana Tucker of Idaho Falls, ID; granddaughters, Shannan Boyenger-Roldan of Kellogg, ID, Chris Tucker of Missoula, MT, Kathy (Brent) Peyton of Bozeman, MT, Jody (Paul) VanEtten of Pinedale, WY, Kasey Tucker of Portland, OR and her mother, Kathy Tucker-(Rob) Peterson of Fairbanks, AK; nine great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; sister in law and brothers in law, Shirley and Russell Clancy of Emmett, ID , Larry Rosera of Boise, ID; numerous nieces and nephews; and best friend, Joe Kuntz.

A viewing will be held on Monday, May 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. So., Nampa. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, May 10 at the Kuna United Methodist Church, 260 W. 4th St., Kuna. Burial will follow in the Kuna Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kuna Food Bank, C/O Kuna United Methodist Church, 260 W. 4th , Kuna, Idaho 83634

Service Information Visitation Monday May 9, 2011 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM