Howard Wayne Tucker was born on February 17, 1929 to Alma and Marion Tucker in Abernathy, Texas. He and his brother, Aubrey, lived there for a few years, and then moved to County Line, Texas, to live with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. K.
Jackson. This is where Wayne began his
schooling.In 1937, his mother was remarried to Burch Scott, and the family moved to Shallowater, Texas, to begin cotton farming. Wayne began his love of farming while attending school in Shallowater, and graduated high school in 1947.
He married Nancy Ashburn in 1950. Around this time, Wayne contracted polio and was not able to farm for a period of time. When he was finally able to work again, he was employed by Higginbottom-Bartlett lumber yard. Eventually, he became a manager at the Shallowater branch. But, because his first love was farming, he began cotton farming with his father-in-law, Jim Bartlett.
In 1952, he and Nancy had their first child, Jimmy Wayne. Shortly after, in 1955, the Ashburn family moved to Idaho to begin wheat farming. This is where their second son, Aubrey Dan was born. Next came daughters, Kathy, and then, Sally Jane. All four children went to and graduated from Bonners Ferry High School.
Wayne was a religious man and helped start congregations in Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry, Idaho. He retired from farming in 1990 and soon only farmed his well manicured yard. His love of his family was immense, and he loved spending time racing snowmobiles with his sons and attending track meets and beauty pageants with his daughters. Wayne also loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Nancy. Son, Jim and his wife, Janis and their children, Jodi, James and Austin. Son, Dan and his wife, Angela and their children, Skye, Zach, Aubrey and Jaden. His daughter, Kathy and her husband, Richard Zech. Daughter, Sally and her husband, Larry Bauer and their sons, Lance and Dustin Hendricks. Wayne's parents and brother passed before him.