Shirley Ann Tucker

Shirley Ann Tucker

It is with a heavy heart that the family of Shirley Ann Tucker (née Sharpe) announce her passing on August 14, 2024, at the age of 86. 

Shirley will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 57 years, J. Larry Tucker; her children, Clayton Tucker of Klamath Falls OR, Mitzi (Brian Jenkins) Tucker of Ormond Beach FL, Julie Tucker of La Junta CO, and son-in-law Adam Thomson of La Junta CO. She was the proud GiGi to her grandchildren, Chance Jacobs, Chelsea (Anthony) Aulisio, Samantha (Dallas) Stubbs, Jordan (Dustin) Hager, Tucker Thomson and her great-grandchildren, Mia Rose, Lyra and Kane. 

Shirley was born to Ernest & Dorothy (Baldwin) Sharpe in Lincoln, Nebraska during the Dust Bowl years. At the young age of five, her family moved Shirley to Las Animas, Colorado where she was raised by her dear grandmother. Times were tough during these early years. Shirley tells us most of her clothes were made by her grandmother and they didn’t have indoor plumbing or other “modern conveniences”. This didn’t stop Shirley from being the best student she could be. She loved music and was active in band and choir, along with being a majorette in marching band and a cheerleader. Her drive and determination were evident early on. 

After high school graduation, Shirley was awarded a music scholarship to college, but eager to join the workforce, Shirley and her best friend, Myrl Ann, had other plans. Both ladies were hired by an abstract company in Denver, and they quickly hit the road, with their manual typewriters in hand, traveling to courthouses in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah preparing abstracts for oil companies. One of Shirley’s many achievements was the ability to type 90 words a minute without any errors on a MANUAL typewriter. 

During this time, Shirley stayed in close communication with her father who lived in San Francisco, CA. When opportunity arose, Myrl Ann was able to purchase a beautiful turquoise and white, 1955 Chevy Bel-Air and off to California they went. Shirley continued to advance in her career as an administrative assistant to the CEO for an insurance company in San Francisco. This is also where Shirley met her first husband, Robert H. Gere, and where her first two children, Clayton and Mitzi, were born. 

Shirley found her way back to Colorado after her first marriage ended, with Clayton and Mitzi in tow. It was here that Shirley reunited with her high school sweetheart, Larry, and they settled in La Junta, CO. Shirley and Larry subsequently welcomed daughter Julie, and Larry legally adopted Clayton and Mitzi. Shirley seemed to have boundless energy managing a full-time career, restoring a historic home, all while caring for her family and miraculously having dinner on the table at 6pm each evening. Shirley continued a long career with Otero College as administrative assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs, retiring after 30 years of service. A crowning achievement in her career was the year that she was selected by faculty and staff as the Otero College Employee of the Year. This put her in the running for the 1993 State of Colorado Classified Employee of the Year. As a nominee, Shirley and Larry traveled to Denver to attend the banquet. To Shirley’s surprise, she was honored as the recipient of the State award, which was presented to her by Governor Romer. This recognition was a testament to her strong work ethic. After retirement, Shirley was able to devote even more time to her artistic and creative endeavors (interior decorating, antique furniture restoration, oil painting, gardening), creating beauty in whatever she touched. 

Shirley was passionate about sharing the love of our Lord with others. She was a devout member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation, and she so enjoyed her church family. She was a gifted letter writer and often used this gift to share Jehovah’s word, Bible teachings, inspirations and wisdom with others. Shirley lived her life with unwavering faith and true to His word. She embodied humility, compassion, kindness and generosity. We will miss her dearly. 

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Ronnie Sharpe and Billy Sharpe. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. at Peacock-Memorial Chapel in La Junta. Please join Shirley’s family in celebration of her life on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel. The service will be led by Elder Dan Knaus of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”       2Timothy 4:7

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.