James "Jimmy" Alexander George Tucker

On Tuesday May 24th, 2022, James Alexander George Tucker, passed away peacefully at his home in Fayetteville, Georgia, with his family by his side. He was 80 years of age. Jimmy was simply known to Jamaican fans as “Little Jimmy Tucker.” Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1942, he was the son of Harold B. Tucker and Hyacinth Emily Dockery, and the grandson of Rev. Theodore Lancelot Tucker, an Anglican minister, in Kingston. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Janet L.B. Tucker, his daughter, Carla E. Duncan, his sons James L.B. Tucker and Jonathan A. G. Tucker, grandchildren Nathaniel A. Tucker, Ashli S. Tucker, Abigail L. Tucker, Isabella T. Duncan, Valentina M. Tucker and Luke T. Duncan; his surviving sisters Dorothy and Joyce treasure every memory of James; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins, and friends who were like family to him. Deceased siblings are Cynthia, Harold, Leslie, Keith, Dolores, Desmond, Gladstone and Edmund Tucker. The Tuckers as youngsters were regarded as a musical family who enjoyed emulating great singers of their time: Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Mario Lanza, Enrico Caruso, John McCormack (Tenor), and Tony Bennett, to name a few. As the youngest of his siblings, Jimmy was often heard singing the songs made famous by Mario Lanza in films: The Student Prince, Serenade and The Great Caruso. Be My Love, Beloved, I’ll Walk with God, and Because became concert favorites for the boy soprano from Fourth Street, Trench Town, Jamaica. Thus, Jimmy became Jamaica’s first child singing sensation in the 1950’s. His academic career began at the All Saints Primary School. While a student at the Mico Practicing School, he and friend Val Burke sang for the school at Prayers. Jimmy was the first to receive a High School scholarship for his singing abilities, attending Calabar High School where he played Sunlight Cricket and Manning Cup Football. He headed to the United States in 1962 to attend Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He studied voice with his coach, Contralto Lilian Knowles Jones. There he met his singing partner and future wife, Janet. They arranged music together and sang locally and regionally as a duo, Jim and Jan. An album by that name was produced by friend and mentor, Robert Thompson, in 1967. As a man of God, Jim studied for the Christian ministry at Moravian Seminary. In 1974, Jim and Jan moved to Jamaica to join the development work there. As Minister of Religion, as well as administrator of social and cultural projects through the Caribbean Conference of Churches, through its agency, CADEC (Christian Action for Development in the Caribbean), Jimmy held the role of manager of the Northwest Caribbean Region. Following the years with CADEC, Jimmy devoted his time and talents to the work of creating educational musical recordings and companion books which he called The Great Gifts of Heritage. As well, he became the Secretary of the Jamaica Progressive League which worked to draft a new Constitution for the nation. He found time to volunteer his service to The Jamaica Library Service for over 21 years and to visit schools to present motivational talks with the students at various levels. Jimmy was an active writer and columnist for the Jamaica Gleaner, and also produced various radio broadcasts via the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) and Real Jamaican Radio (RJR), produced records and events, and sang at national events, weddings, and funerals. Jimmy was awarded Jamaica’s National Honors as Commander of the Order of Distinction. In 2021 The Institute of Jamaica presented him with the Silver Musgrave Medal for his outstanding contribution in the field of the Arts. As well, he was given these awards: Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation for Meritorious Service Over the Years - in 1990; Government of Jamerican United Nationals Association, for Promoting Marcus Garvey and the U.N.I.A., August 17, 1990; Jamaica Library Service Fiftieth Anniversary Award for Dedicated Service 1977 to 1998, presented in 1998; and the Boy’s Town Old Boys’ Association Bob Marley Award for Distinguished Service to Culture and Entertainment, in December 1998. Jimmy’s hobbies included history, writing, swimming, spending time with family, debating, healthy eating, morning exercise & walks, listening to recordings of the great tenors, watching vintage movies, and sharing big ideas with young people. He was an avid reader who loved to explore the ideas of great philosophers and scholars. Leisure time was spent going to the beach, visiting family, playing dominoes, soccer, cricket and watching boxing matches. Jimmy is remembered as Jamaica’s Silvery Soprano and Golden Tenor, Educator, Philosopher, and Executive Producer of the Great Gifts of Heritage. He is remembered for his love of people, for his sense of humor, his compassion for others. The beauty of his music will continue to fill many people with the incredible joy he felt for life, and the hope he believed in. Long live Jimmy’s vision for a bright world of understanding through faith in God, and education in the arts and the sciences. One of his favorite verses of scripture is: Micah 6:8 – KJV He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? In keeping with this, Jimmy Tucker exemplified a life of humility, a love for mercy and justice. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All are invited to join in the Service of Celebration to honor the memory of James Alexander George Tucker on Monday, June 20th, at 2:00pm at the First Fayetteville United Methodist Church, 175 E. Lanier Avenue, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Martin will officiate. Following the service, there will be a reception in the church hall. The service will be live streamed via Youtube.com Please check back. The link information will be updated prior to the service. Please be sure to enjoy listening to and reading about Jimmy’s Great Gifts of Heritage on his website: www.jimmytuckersings.com It is a compilation of folk songs, inspirational, patriotic, classical and seasonal music.