Dr. Kenneth Paul Tucker

Dr. Kenneth Tucker passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray, KY. He was the son of Earl and Catherine Tucker. He was born on December 2, 1940, in Louisville, KY. He received his MA and BA at The University of Louisville and doctorate at The University of Kentucky in 1970. He was immediately hired by Murray State University in 1970 where he would teach for the next 31 years. To borrow from Chaucer, he would gladly learn and gladly teach. He was very dedicated to literature, especially Shakespeare, and taught other courses.

Somewhat disturbed by the counterculture of the 60s, he thought of himself as a time-traveler from 1940. Yet he believed that every person, no matter what their beliefs, should be treated with respect and encouraged to pursue their goals and felt that prime duties were to alleviate as much as possible the sufferings of humanity.

He suffered off and on from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and became a recovering alcoholic because of it. In the 90s, Kenneth helped many other alcoholics to break their habits.

He had a lively sense of humor. One of his most prized comments is from a student who said he had wanted both a funny teacher and a good teacher and he had found them both in Kenneth. He could imitate Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Dean Martin and others.

He published roughly 20 books and was known for his writing on Eliot Ness and often received phone calls inquiring about the famous lawmen. He also published a book on Shakespeare and reviewed books and plays for The Shakespearean News Letter. His main writing love was fiction and stuck to no specific genre. He wrote southern gothic, comic fantasies, science fiction, detective, old tales of Calloway County and was very much interested in the history of this area.

After retirement Kenneth became co-director of the Murray Writers Support Group and discussed publishing opportunities and how to write.

His friends describe him as a man of deep faith that demonstrated early in life as a boy scout and later as an active member in his church. His friends knew him to be kind and loyal, with a unique sense of humor. His parents knew him as a devoted son. 

A public graveside service will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Murray City Cemetery. Pastor Josh Reifsteck will officiate, and burial will follow. There will be no public visitation. 

Online condolences can be made at www.jhchurchill.com