George Charles Tuckness Jr.

Sept 25, 1947 -

June 8, 2020

On June 8, 2020, George Charles Tuckness Jr., age 72, passed away surrounded by his beloved family at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minn., while being treated for advanced cancer. George was born on Sept. 25, 1947, in Fowler, Calif., to George and Naomi Tuckness. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Huff; sons, Michael Tuckness and Derek Ross; daughters, Heather Sottosanti and Jeneen Ewing, Sonya Paradis; brother, Darrell Tuckness; twin sisters, Joanne Hill and Dianne Hicks; his 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends made while living and working in Anchorage, Alaska. George deeply loved his family and his family deeply loved him. He will be greatly missed.

George grew up in Indio, Calif. George was a driven and determined young man and always kept busy with either his multiple paper routes or his goal and eventual achievement of becoming an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Coachella Valley High School, he married Susanne Kennard, started his family, and shortly thereafter joined the United States Air Force. During his service he served in Vietnam as an Air Traffic Controller. After his military service George attended Desert of the Valley College and then started his career as a carpenter, learning his construction skills from the ground up. Longing for outdoor adventures and cooler weather, he moved his family to Grants Pass, Ore., and in 1981, adventured on an amazing road trip with his son Michael to the great state of Alaska, where he continued to raise his family. He met the love of his life, Barbara Huff, in December 1990. They were married with a blended family on April 15, 1993. During this time George developed his career in construction and worked with Neeser Construction as a Senior Project Manager for the last 29 years. George was a powerful role model for so many. It never mattered how busy he was in that office, he still always made time to talk about fishing and catching big rainbows. George was a past President and Life Board Member of the Associated General Contractors of Alaska (AGC). He had a major influence within AGC and the construction industry in Alaska. He was universally respected and liked by those that he worked with within the industry. He enjoyed the lobby trips to Juneau, educating legislators about those issues important to the industry. George was also well-known and respected in his residential neighborhood and served on the HOA board for many years.

George was an incredibly generous man. He was always available for an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on. He was wise and kind to his family and friends, always offering to help in a time of need. George's contagious, genuine, beaming smile is something that everyone always noticed and loved about him. He loved his wife and children immensely and even more, he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would light up every time he would see them. He was so affectionate and sincere with them. He truly enjoyed their silly jokes and dances and music when the family would get together. He always made time to make them feel special. His love for his family is something we have all been blessed with and will hold close for a lifetime.

In addition to his family and career, George loved everything outdoors. George had a true passion for life and adventure and was skilled in many things ... but his passion for golf, fishing, hunting and competition shooting gave him great solace and satisfaction. AGC of Alaska has now named the sporting clays event after George in his honor: "The George Tuckness Sporting Clays Shoot." George also had an enviable social skill set including scuba diving, skiing, painting and playing multiple instruments, including acoustic and bass guitar. A skill that will never be forgotten or matched was his perfection of grilling the exquisite black and blue steak and a mouthwatering salmon filet. George was also a connoisseur of fine wine, scotch, chocolate and cigars - something he has passed on to many. A family funeral is being held on July 1, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Due to COVID-19 concerns there will be a celebration of his life scheduled at a later date for family and friends. George's favorite charities were the local Cancer Association and the local First Tee, a program that builds character and life enhancing values for children through the game of golf. George was one-in-a-million and will be forever loved and missed by us all.