A llen Tucker, 88, of Wood, SD passed away on Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Facility in Winner, SD.  Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 11:00AM at the Wood Community Hall in Wood, SD.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Wood, SD.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 from 6-7PM at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD with a prayer service beginning at 7:00PM.

Allen "Buddy" Keith Tucker was born on April 24, 1931 along with his twin brother Alvin "Sonny" Wayne to Lonnie and Edna (Stevens) Tucker at their home on Horse Creek.

He attended grade school in White River and graduated High School in 1949 from White River.

Allen was united in marriage to Ila Galbraith on October 27, 1951 in a double ceremony with Mike and Dola (Tucker) Dreyer.

Allen entered the Marine Corp in 1952.  While serving in Korea Allen drove a M-51 tank.  He was discharged in May 1954.  At that time Allen and Ila moved back to Wood, SD where they resided for the next 63 years and raised their four sons.

Allen served on the church board, township board, first water board in Mellette County and served on the Cherry Todd Board for 21 years.  He was also instrumental in the planning and fund raising of the Wood Community Hall.  Allen was very proud to serve his community.  He was a Legion member for 67 years, 32-degree Master Mason for 52 years, Naja Shriner for 50 years, Mason for 63 and an Eastern Star member for 61 years.

Allen loved to watch his children and grandchildren play sports.  He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins.  He loved to farm and would spend endless hours on a tractor.  He loved the smell of fresh turned soil in the spring, the smell of alfalfa, harvesting and Red Angus Cattle.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ila, sons Wade and his wife Suzie of Wood, SD, Brad and his wife Connie of Rapid City, SD, Loren and his wife Gail of Gillette, WY and Shawn and his wife Natalie of Gillette, WY, 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lonnie and Edna, Father and Mother-in-Law Stanton and Lona Galbraith, brothers; Calvin, Alvin, Norton, Nolan and sisters Winnie Green and Dola Dreyer.

The Family will be directing memorials to the Wood Community Hall.