James Guy Tucker, Sr. (1894-1964)
While understandably much has been written in this blog on the life of Governor Jim Guy Tucker, his family heritage is as important as his public life. This month's post focuses on his father, James Guy Tucker, Sr. His father's papers are located in Series 1, Family and personal papers of the James Guy Tucker, Jr., Papers. Also included in this series are documents on the Tucker and White families, Betty Tucker, and Tucker’s childhood and Vietnam experience.
Early life and World War I
James Guy Tucker, Sr., was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, on April 14, 1894. His parents were Guy Beckwith and Martha McCain Tucker.
James Guy graduated from Little Rock High School and Georgetown University School of Law. Tucker rose to the rank of captain in the 353rd Infantry during World War I. He also kept a diary of his experiences on the front line during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in November 1918. When German shelling commenced on November 1, 1918, Tucker wrote, "My God what a barrage, all the noise in the world has been loosened...Ouch! something hit me in the leg. Not hurt much. This gas is suffocating I cannot breathe. [sic]"
During this same campaign, he was cited for bravery when he "succeeded in flanking the enemy machine guns and enabled the battalion to move forward." Tucker was also on the battlefield when Armistice Day occurred on November 11, 1918.
Return home
Upon returning home from war, Tucker entered politics. In 1920, he entered the race for state auditor and ran on his military background and clerical experience. The voters of the state elected him as one of the youngest state auditors at the age of 26. He held this position from 1921-1925. After losing re-election to Frederick Gray, he became an accountant for the Arkansas Highway Department for six years and supervisor of the State Refunding Board from 1931-1935. During his tenure as supervisor, he initiated the refunding of the Old Road Improvement District bonds.
Social Security Administration
Tucker was one of the first fifty employees of the newly formed Social Security Administration in February 1936. He served as Construction Accountant in Washington and then as Regional Auditor in Kansas City, Missouri, from 1937-1940. From 1940-1945, he was manager of the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, district office. In February 1945, the Tucker family relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas, when James Guy Tucker, Sr., was transferred to the Social Security Administration office. He held this position until his retirement in 1961.
Tucker, Sr. died on December 27, 1964, and is buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery.