YOU WILL BE MISSED
The first interaction I ever had with Tim Tucker was on an internet message board. I had heard of Tim, many stories in fact, and to tell you the truth I was a little scared of him. I was working as a producer on the FLW Tour back then and someone on the internet had found fault with the fact that I was fishing an event as a co-angler. A melee ensued and Tim Tucker came to my defense. I'll never forget that.
Here was this guy that I had heard stories about - the hard boiled writer who was tough as nails and held no quarter for any shenanigans when it came to the sport of bass fishing. And if there were lines drawn in the sand between the supporters of the two leagues in bass fishing, Tim definitely came down on the side opposite which I was standing at the time. Yet he sprang to the defense of a woman he did not know on a public message board known for it's ruthlessness toward anyone who disagreed with the pack.
He was a teddy bear.
We later became fast friends with a mutual respect that was drawn from our interest in and passion for the sport. We shared many laughs, gossiped while waiting for countless weigh-ins to start and celebrated the successes of our friends in the sport - both in front of the cameras and behind. Tim ruffled some feathers along the way, but no one could ever doubt where his heart was. He wanted only the best for the anglers he followed all over the country.
When I got the call today that Tim had passed away, it was like a kick in the stomach. You know, whenever these kinds of tragic events happen, it always occurs to me that none of us ever knows how fast we are hurtling towards the end. In my mind I envision it as an object moving at mach speed, with all the associated fireworks and sound efects, and then coming to an abrupt stop at a brick wall. Where it doesn’t matter that you were late to that last appointment, or that someone dogged you out at the office last week, or that you had a spat with your spouse over something inconsequential, or that you haven’t returned that email you meant to answer. We all race through life. Literally race. And when the end comes, most of the things we are so preoccupied with…..don’t matter.
I know that Tim was head over heals about his twins and that he spent a lot of time with them. He talked about them all the time. He seemed to have mastered the balance of work and life. His kids are around 10 years old so, thankfully, we can hope that his influence on them will be felt throughout their lives.
But at the end of the day, the little stuff really does not matter does it? Most of us will never know when the carousel will stop turning. Or when an ordinary afternoon will turn into a life changing event for the people who love us. It’s an old cliché’ but I think Tim would agree that we all need to take stock of our blessings and make sure the ones we love know the depth of our feelings and why we hold them dear.
I hope he had no regrets. And I’m glad the last words that Tim and I spoke to each other were kind ones.
Update 7/18: A trust fund has been set up for Tim's children. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that we honor Tim's memory with a donation to his children's fund.
Kyle and Rachel Tucker
PO Box 140607
Gainesville, FL 32614-0607
Please feel free to share your thoughts on Tim....
2 comments:
I too met Tim through the same internet site Angie speaks of. We debated some, differed on opinion some, but always did so with mutual respect and became friends.
I came to know Tim as a passionate individual who loved the BASS tournament community and those associated with it. He had an interesting insight in regard to how tournament fishermen work and think. His ability to convey their thoughts and feelings in his articles was artistic. He was an integral part in making BASS and BassMaster Magazine what they became. He will be truly missed by all that new him and read him.
Our prayers and condolences go out to his family. It's a tragic loss to all.
We'll miss you Tim...God Bless.
Butch Tucker, Moultrie, GA
I also got the privilege of knowing, and ultimately writing just a little with Tim Tucker from the very same webpage. Oddly, it is the same page that led to friendships and memories with Angie Thompson and Butch Tucker.
Tim Tucker was the kind of guy who exuded honest passion for the things he loved. He would not settle for a poorly written article, or a half-researched opinion any more that he would plagarize an article. With Tim, what you saw was what you got---like it or leave your choice. I remember my first meeting, and the bear grip handshake. I also remember him as one of my heros saying "I really liked the article you wrote". "Would it be OK if I called you and asked about some of the waters around Memphis. See, I'm writing this article and I need some help." That was the Tim Tucker I know, knew, and will remember. He didn't need help, but he was never burdened with an ego that kept him from asking input from the little folks, the everyman, that would aspire to do what he did. I got to spend time talking to Tim at two BassMasters Classics, one of which I had writers credentials. Tim saw me, remembered me, walked over and treated me like I belonged, like an equal. I wasn't, I didn't, but Tim never let on. It took a big heart to keep life in a man as big as Tim--but most folks who never called him "friend" have NO idea just how big, and caring, it really was.
We've lost a treasure, and heaven gained one. Rest with the Lord, Tim Tucker.
Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN
Post a Comment