Paul Marlin Tucker
1914-2000
The Life Of Paul Tucker
Paul M. Tucker was born in Bon Aqua, Tennessee on January 11, 1914. He was baptized by J.H. Horton in August 1946. He was married to Edith Upton on December 23, 1938. To this union was born two children, Marlin Timothy and John Mark.
Brother Tucker began preaching in New Bethel, Hickman County, Tennessee in 1932. He attended David Lipscomb College, Bucknell University, and George Pepperdine College where he graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He also did graduate work at the University of California in Berkeley, and George Peabody College For Teachers where he earned the Master of Arts Degree.
Through the years he preached for several churches. He preached for the Sunbury, Pennsylvania church from 1935-1937; the Ventura, California church from 1937-1938; the Santa Roza, California church from 1938-1941; the San Jose, California church from 1941-1944; the Natchez, Mississippi church from 1944-1948; the Central church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama from 1948-1952; the Jackson Park church in Nashville, Tennessee from 1952-1957; the Wingate church in Nashville from 1957 to 1962; and for the Crieve Hall congregation in Nashville from 1962 until his death 37 1/2 years later.
Writing tracts and class material that helped sustain and strengthen the kingdom was something part of his godly passion. He wrote the tract, "Christianity is Undenominational." publishing and distributing over 150,000 copies. He also wrote class workbooks, like God's Plan of Redemption, Volumes 1 & 2. He also produced a class workbook on Stewardship. He wrote other works as well.
Through the years he held many teacher training series. He also did extensive radio work in several locations where he lived and worked. For a time he served as President of the Board of Directors for Short Mountain Youth Camp. He served on the Board of Directors for Christian Teacher Publications, and was on the Advisory Board for Gospel Press. He served on the Editorial Council for Power For Today. He also served on the Board Of Directors for Nigerian Christian Schools Foundation. He traveled extensively preaching on various college lectureships and conducting foreign evangelistic campaigns.
The last years of his life was involved in the development of Nashville School of Preaching. He taught classes, filled in preaching, evangelized, and was a steadying influence in the congregation. Brother Tucker passed from this life on June 6, 2000. His remains were laid to rest in the Woodlawn Cemetery where many of God's saints await the coming of Jesus.
-Scott Harp, Sources: Preachers of Today, Volumes 1,2,3.
Christianity Is Undenominational - A Tract By Paul M. Tucker - PDF
A Tribute To A Gentle Giant - Paul Marlin Tucker
January 11, 1914 – June 6, 2000
In Hand to Hand, a publication of the Crieve Hall Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee, Bill Tucker wrote of an incident that happened the night Paul Tucker died. Hank Loggins greeted the funeral directors who came to remove Paul's body from his home where he died with the words, "Boys, have you ever seen a giant?" Although Paul was not a small man in stature, brother Loggins was not referring to his physical size, but as Bill Tucker wrote, "It had everything to do with who and what he really was." Indeed, Paul Tucker was a "gentle giant" of man in every respect.
Paul Tucker was born in rural Hickman County, Tennessee in the little town of Bon Aqua. He was "born again" August 9, 1926 at the age of twelve. He left the farm to attend David Lipscomb College, which was then a two-year junior college. He was in the first senior graduating class at Pepperdine University, and recalled "with a wry smile" that he was in the top four of his graduating class of only four students. Later Paul received the M.A. degree from George Peabody College for teachers with a major in English. He also attended the University of California at Berkley.
Paul Tucker began preaching September 18, 1932 at the New Bethel Church of Christ in Hickman County, Tennessee. After graduating from Pepperdine, he preached in California, Pennsylvania, Natchez, Mississippi, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The majority of his life and ministry was spent in Nashville, Tennessee where Paul served three congregations. The first was Jackson Park (1952-57), and the second was Wingate (1 957-62). In 1962 Paul began his work with the Crieve Hall Church of Christ which continued until his death. As his son Mark wrote, Crieve Hall became "home" to Paul Tucker and his family for thirty-eight years. He served first as the pulpit minister, and then later as associate minister, or as Bill Tucker called him "the prime minister," when Tom Holland came to be the pulpit preacher. When Paul celebrated his 50th year in ministry, his Crieve Hall family presented him with a new Buick automobile in thankfulness for his years of service to them and to the Lord.
Paul Tucker had led 25 mission campaigns in the United States, England and Scotland. He served as President of the Board of Directors of Short Mountain Youth Camp for twenty-five years. He also served as President of the Board of Directors of Foundation for Christian Education, and on the Board of the Youth Hobby Shop in Nashville, Tennessee. He taught classes at the Nashville School of Preaching and The Great Commission School.
Paul wrote numerous articles for several brotherhood publications, such as The Gospel Advocate, Firm Foundation, Power For Today, and Twentieth Century Christian. He also authored workbooks on Christian Stewardship and God's Plan of Redemption Volumes I and 11. His son Mark wrote of him that Paul was "something of a specialist in the last book of the Bible, The Revelation of John. Not intimidated by its mystery and symbolism, he approached its literary qualities, and he analyzed it with care and taught hundreds of others to appreciate it. He approached Revelation with grace and ease, holding clearly its central message, that Jesus is the victorious lamb and that we are more than conquerors through him."
His co-worker at Crieve Hall, Dan Winkler, wrote concerning Paul, "He had a tremendous mind that allowed him that freedom to work through the maze of philosophy and, at the same time, practically apply the Scriptures to life ... He could teach a Bible class, preach a sermon, offer words of wisdom, organize a program of church work, visit those who graced us with their attendance, and see to the minutia of office administration. In fact, he could do anything you asked of him and with unlimited resources he would tirelessly do it well."
Several years ago another Paul Tucker had died, and it was reported in the Gospel Advocate. Sister Edith Tucker began receiving numerous cards and notes of condolence. In the next issue of the GA brother Tucker, who was still very much alive, wrote, "The reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated." Regrettably, this time it was not so. Brother Paul Tucker has gone on to his reward, but "He being dead yet speaks." He "rests from his labors, but his works do follow him."
Brother Tucker is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Edith (they were married December 23, 1937); by two sons, Tim and Mark, and two grandsons, Miika and Paavo.
--Sellers S. Crain, Jr., Minister Rivergate Church of Christ 201 Alta Loma Road Madison, TN 371 15
(Editor's Comment: I was pleased to get a very encouraging letter from Paul Tucker, written with his hand, not long before he died. I did not get to answer it. In it he wrote: "Dear brother Basil: I receive The World Evangelist regularly and I keep up with you, even though I am handicapped by a stroke. In The World Evangelist of May 2000 I notice you have your schedule for 2000 printed. When you get to Bon Aqua Church in Hickman County, please remember that is where I began preaching.'' Paul then wrote about his boyhood days in Hickman County, TN. Forty-five years ago, Mark Love, a gospel preacher from Hickman County told me over 500 gospel preachers had come out of Hickman County! At the close of Paul's letter he wrote: "God bless you and your work there and other places. We love you. In Christ, Paul M. Tucker." His letter and last words to me, mean more than I can express adequately. The Lord has had many able and faithful soldiers in His Army. Paul Tucker was one of them!)
-The World Evangelist, December, 2000, page 5.
News Of The Passing Of Paul M. Tucker
It was a "sweet sorrow" to receive a letter from Thomas Eldridge of Nashville informing us that Paul Tucker has completed his journey through this vale of JOY, tears, and years, and IS now at rest Abraham's bosom. Sorrow because Paul Tucker will be sorely missed, but sweet because of his noble example and present victory.
Here is brother Eldridge's letter:
Dear Brother Dobbs: On June 6, 2000 Brother Paul M. Tucker passed away. He was a faithful gospel preacher and a strong contender for the faith. I think his family would appreciate an article written about him. He was loved by many and only disliked by those who would pervert the truth. I am enclosing an article about him written several years ago.
He preached at the Crieve Hall church for 37½ years, and was instrumental in getting Tom Holland as the pulpit minister when he stepped down. He continued to reach and preach when needed.
He was one of the finest men I have ever known.
He left three legacies: his reputation as a faithful gospel preacher and two sons, Mark and Tim, who are very active in the Church.
Tim is a missionary to Finland and Mark is active in the Church in Indiana. (Tim lost his wife in as auto accident last year, I believe.)
Thank you in advance and keep up the good work. May God give us more preachers like Paul Tucker. God bless you in your work.
Enclosed was a copy of a speech made by brother Tucker September 18, 1982 on the occasion of the celebration of his 50th year of preaching the gospel. It is a remarkable production and shows us the heart of this man of God.
After recounting his early preaching experiences, brother Tucker told of the invitation for him to become an evangelist for the Crieve Hall church in Nashville. He took up his duties with the Crieve Hall church, December 1962. In his Golden Anniversary sermon brother Paul said:
All my life I coveted: the opportunity of helping build a church large in numbers, sound in the faith, aggressive in evangelism, missionary and benevolent in spirit, warm and loving in heart, tender in fellowship, and numerous in good works to God's glory. When I met with the elders of Crieve Hall church, Jere Williams and Dave Slaughter, and d iscussed the possibility of my coming to Crieve Hall, I not know all of these dreams would come true to the degree they have ....
Only eternity could provide time and opportunity to recite all the thrilling experiences at Crieve Hall. There have been some sorrows but many joys, a few thorns but many roses, a few valleys of discouragement but many mountains of ecstasy, a few negatives but many positives. All in a ll, it has been the most thrilling and rewarding work of my life ....
I am debtor to my family. I am debtor to a ll the elders and congregations who have been gracious and considerate enough to call me to regular pulpit work, to call me to many gospel meetings, to over fifty teacher training courses in many states, to fourteen colleges and Christian schools that have used me in lectureships and special appearances, and have supported me with prayers, encouraging remarks, money, and in many other ways. This has enabled me to preach in thirty of our United States, and in Ivory Coast, West Africa, in London and in Birmingham, England, and a number of pulpits in Scotland, including the pulpit at Kirkcaldy formerly used by Alexander Campbell.
I am debtor above all to God for his saving grace, to Christ for his cleansing blood, and to the Holy Spirit for his enlightening truth, which I have tried to proclaim faithfully . ...
I have some concerns for the future .... I am concerned because of an apparent lack of Bible study. Lack of Bible knowledge will destroy a people. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). I am concerned about deteriorating morals and ethics. It becomes more and more difficult to separate the church from the world. I am concerned because of the apparent decrease in appreciation for the value of human life. There seems to be less and less appreciation for the proper roles of male and female in society as defined by God's word ....
Wherever the Lord may lead me in the future, I expect to teach and preach the word, and to fight the good fight. I expect to continue this as long as the enabling grace of God makes it possible, and then to rejoice forever with all the redeemed as we exclaim on heaven's bright shore, 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ; and they shall reign forever and ever' (Rev. 11:15).
Reading brother Tucker's sermon helped me, and I pray that these excerpts from his lesson will help all our readers.
He is gone to claim the crown of Life that is laid by for him. He, like an Old Testament worthy, "gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people." That is, he lived a long, faithful, fruitful, and useful life, and is now gathered to those of like precious faith. As was said on the death of a great American Statesman, "He belongs to the ages."
-Firm Foundation, September, 2000, pages 25,26 / Note: This is a timed piece. Some of those enlisted as living may be now deceased.
Gospel Advocate Obituary
NASHVILLE, TENN. - Paul M. Tucker died June 6. He had been one of the ministers at the Crieve Hall Church of Christ in Nashville for 38 years. He was 86. Tucker was an alumnus of Lipscomb University and received his bachelor's degree in the first graduating class at Pepperdine University. Tucker had preached in local congregations in Natchez, Miss.; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and the Jackson Park, Wingate and Crieve Hall congregations in Nashville. He had also preached for churches in Pennsylvania and California. He had led 26 mission campaigns in the United States, England and Scotland. He had also served as president of the board of directors for Short Mountain Bible Camp and taught for the Nashville School of Preaching. Tucker is survived by his wife, Edith; two sons, Tim and Mark Tucker; two grandsons, Miika and Paavo Tucker; and one brother, J. Perry Tucker.
-J. Perry Tucker. – Gospel Advocate, July 2000, 41.
Note: Paul Tucker was born January 11, 1914 in Bon Aqua, Hickman County, Tennessee. More information is needed to know a fuller picture of his life's work. When made available, it will be added here.
Directions To The Grave of Paul M. Tucker
Directions:
Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee, is located behind the 100 Oaks Shopping Center that faces I-65 just south of the I-440 Interchange In The Southern Part Of The City. From 100 Oaks travel east on Thompson Lane and pass the Pepsi Bottlers. Turn left into the Main (Northside) Park of the Woodlawn Cemetery. Take your first left after entering, and head half way up the hill until you come to the sign, Fountain View C. From the sign, head in about 50 feet and you will find the Tucker plot. See cemetery map here. Woodlawn Memorial ParkCemetery 660 Thompson Lane Nashville, TN 37204 / 615-383-4754
GPS Location
36°06'46.1"N 86°45'37.6"W
or D.d. 36.112806, -86.760455
Paul Marlin Tucker
1914-2000
Grave Photos Taken August, 2011
Courtesy of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
