The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Rancher, K. Leroy Tucker, born July 18, 1928, in Greenback, east of Tonto Basin, Ariz. Leroy passed away Feb. 2, 2020, in his home at Pinto Creek, Roosevelt, Ariz. His wife and three children were with him.
Leroy was raised in Greenback which is east of Tonto Basin. Working was his motto. He learned farming, hunting, trapping, and roping when he was growing up.
His family bought the HZ Ranch , at Pinto Creek, Roosevelt, Ariz. and that’s where he began his ranching career. He married a neighboring, ranchers daughter, Velma Stewart, at the ranch, in 1949.
His ranching expanded from Roosevelt to California, back to Arizona to a ranch off of Highway 60 near Globe then back to Roosevelt and the A Cross. He eventually moved back to his former home in Pinto Creek. He also had ranches in Kansas, New Mexico, and now Texas.
His three children Tenna Payne, Roy Dale Tucker and Lee Ann Tucker are some of his proudest achievements. He was named the Houston Texas Champion Calf Roper, Arizona’s All Around Champion Roper, The Ring of Honor Roper, and Arizona’s Pioneer Stockman. Other honors were: Gila County Cattle Grower’s President, Arizona Cattle Grower Director, as well as on the ASCS and U.S. Forest Service Advisory Boards.
He kept busy as that was how he lived. But when he was unable to work any more due to his battle with cancer, is when his life was cut short.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Pinto Creek Ranch, in Roosevelt, 1161 North Stagecoach Trail, on Feb. 29, at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations to a memorable scholarship in his name that will be awarded to students majoring in Agricultural.
Send donations to Betty Sue Conway, P.O. Box 1110, Tonto Basin, AZ 85553.
Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe.
