Kevin Tucker

Kevin Dean “Fiz” Tucker, 62, passed away peacefully at his home on May 8, 2026, after a courageous battle with ALS, during which he continued to show the kindness, composure, and quiet peace that defined his life. His sly, childlike grin, ornery antics, and familiar wink remained with him until his final days, bringing comfort and laughter to those he loved most. He carried a quiet presence that somehow filled a room completely.

Kevin was born on the morning of June 19, 1963, in Creston, Iowa, to Kay and Lewis Tucker. He was raised in Prescott alongside his siblings Roger, Tammy and Brian. From the very beginning, Kevin carried the calm but stubborn spirit that would define his life. His mother often shared that he slept through the night the very first night she brought him home from the hospital and that he walked at an early age. Quiet, steady, and strong willed, Kevin approached life with a determination that allowed him to accomplish whatever he set his mind to.

Growing up in Prescott, Kevin loved baseball and became an excellent pitcher. He later attended Southwestern Community College to play baseball and study auto body and restoration. Articles written about his pitching often described the calm composure he carried on the mound, a trait that followed him throughout every season of his life. It was after high school, during a slow pitch softball game and because of his ornery antics in the outfield, that he earned the nickname “Fiz,” as teammates joked he was more of a “fizzle” than the spark he claimed to be.

Although Kevin carried a calm and quiet nature, he was ornery from the beginning. His siblings loved telling stories about how he constantly picked on them growing up. When they told on him, Kay and Lewis usually ended up scolding them instead, never believing Kevin had done what they claimed. His brother Brian laughed remembering how Kevin would fire a little football at him as hard as he could every time he walked by. His sister Tammy joked that whenever she caught baseball for Kevin while he pitched, he intentionally threw the ball as hard as possible. Kevin would simply grin and tell her he was “making her stronger,” and in many ways, he did.

One of Roger’s favorite memories was the time he and Kristi were at a barbecue and he sent her to the Prescott Tap to pick up beer, only for her to disappear for hours. When he finally went looking for her, he found Kristi and Fiz sitting together, drinking beer and smoking cigars. Kristi loved teasing Fiz and telling things exactly as they were. She said she knew right away Nicci was “the one” because of the gleam in Fiz’s eyes whenever he looked at her.

On December 4, 2004, a date chosen in honor of his baseball number 4, Kevin married the love of his life, Nicci Kelley. Together they shared 22 years of marriage, friendship, laughter, unwavering love, and commitment. Kevin was the hero of Nicci’s life, as she often lovingly said.

With this marriage came two children, Kaylee and Adam, whom Fiz loved as his own from the beginning. They remained the center of his world, and he was endlessly patient and proud of both of them. Fiz passed his love of hunting down to Adam and always got a kick out of Adam’s ornery personality. He proudly bought Adam his first hunting dog and treasured the time they spent outdoors together. Fiz also shared a special bond with Kaylee. He taught her to drive and handed over his pickup for her to use, complete with a whip antenna and dog box in the back, something that perfectly reflected Fiz’s personality and the trust he placed in her. Kaylee, Adam, and Fiz shared a closeness built on humor, loyalty, and understanding. Together, Kaylee and Adam loved teaming up against their mom, knowing their dad was almost always quietly on their side. Becoming a grandfather to Bentley and Lane later in life brought Fiz tremendous joy and was an honor he once believed he may never experience.

Beyond baseball and farming, Fiz’s greatest passion was hunting, especially coyote hunting. Over the years, he raised many coyote hounds and treasured time spent outdoors with family and friends. His love of hunting came from his father, Lewis, whom he deeply loved and admired. Fiz lost his father in January of 2026, a heartbreaking loss of not only a father, but also a mentor and lifelong friend.

Throughout Fiz’s battle with ALS, his mother, Kay, lovingly helped care for him. Her unselfish heart, steady presence, and endless love were such a blessing to Fiz and the entire family. The bond they shared was built on deep love, loyalty, and quiet devotion.

Fiz loved all of his nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews dearly and cherished every opportunity to have family gathered together. He especially loved the laughter that filled the house and the unique relationships he shared with each of them.

The family will forever be grateful for the tenderness, dignity, and love niece Cassidy gave to Fiz during his final days, with additional support and help from niece Caitlyn. Cassidy, a nurse, lovingly stepped in to care for Fizz allowing Nicci the precious gift of simply being his wife after years as his caregiver. They both kept their promise to him that he would not suffer and would be home for his final care.

Kevin is survived by his loving wife, Nicci, his children, Kaylee and Adam; his grandsons, Bentley and Lane; his mother, Kay Tucker; his siblings, Roger Tucker, Tammy (Rod) Stroud, and Brian (Rachel) Tucker; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lewis Tucker; his sister-in-law, Kristi Tucker; and other loved ones who welcomed him home.

Please consider a donation in memory of Kevin to: The Iowa ALS Association https://share.google/q9acnsvdNZ13iP9lE or to the Corning First Presbyterian Church.