Velda F. (TURNER) TUCKER
Marriages
Jan L. Tucker
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - July 16, 2017
Velda F. (Turner) Tucker was
born to Clay and Addie
(Williams) Turner, in the back
of her grandparent’s grocery
store, on December 25, 1928,
in Stonewall, OK. Velda spent
her childhood in Lubbock,
TX, and graduated from
Lubbock High School. She
received her B.S. degree in
education from Harding
College in Searcy, AR, and
after teaching in several
schools in the Texas
Panhandle, she married a
previous student, Jan L.
Tucker, who had some years
earlier quit her high school
typing class because “he
didn’t like the teacher."
To the dismay of their
families, Jan and Velda took
the bold step of leaving Texas
and moving to Aspen, CO, in
1960. Velda taught school in Aspen prior to the couple
purchasing the “Old” Snowmass Store and Post Office, where
she spent “the happiest years of her life” as the Postmaster and
running the store and gas station. Jan and Velda made lifelong
friends of the ranchers and other families that lived anywhere
from Woody Creek to Capital Creek Road, Snowmass Creek
Road and Basalt.
Jan and Velda divorced in 1995, and Velda retired to Grand
Junction, CO, where she enjoyed many years of bowling,
quilting, jigsaw puzzles, and volunteering for Hospice
(HopeWest). Her work on this earth was finished on July 8,
2017, and karma abounded as HopeWest Hospice lovingly
helped with her end-of-life care. Velda was always a very
independent and strong woman, thoroughly enjoyed playing
good-natured practical jokes, and was the ultimate Broncos,
Rockies, and Nuggets fanatic, as well as other teams when
"hers" weren’t playing. She loved her family fiercely. The
highlight of her year was hosting family Christmas, inclusive of
rather competitive garage basketball tournaments.
“MiMi” is survived by her daughters, Pam Tucker, Grand
Junction, CO; Kim Guthrie-Burch (Jeff), Delta, CO, and Cindy
Tucker-Davis (Jet) Glenwood Springs, CO; beloved
grandchildren, Levi VanPelt (Darcy), Grand Junction, CO; Allie
Guthrie, Delta, CO; adored great-grandchildren, Levi D.
VanPelt, Carter VanPelt, and Sunny Guthrie, as well as dear
sister, Etie Phillips (L.D.) Lubbock, TX; sister-in-law and very
best friend, Mary Lou Turner, Lubbock, TX, and many special
nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents
and two brothers, Harlan Turner and Morris Turner. She was
also preceded in death by her former husband, Jan, whom she
loved very much.
At her request, there will be no services.
Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest P.O. Box
24, Delta, CO 81416.
Local arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor
Funeral Service and Crematory Delta, CO. View the internet
obituary and sign the online guest registry at
www.taylorfuneralservice.com.
