Ed "Eddie" Tuck Jr., a founder of T&T Tire in Tacoma, Wash. (dba T&T Tire Point S) died on September 1, weeks shy of his 87th birthday.
From his first day in the tire business, Eddie Tuck was part of a multi-generational tire business, and that legacy continues. He and his father, Ed Tuck Sr., and brother in law, "Tiny" Youngberg, started their business in 1955 when Eddie Tuck was just 18 years old.
He was drafted into the military, but served stateside, and according to his family, when others asked him why he was never sent overseas, Tuck told them it was because of his skill in servicing the vehicles in the motor poll. He spent his days in the U.S. Army working at Fort Lewis, and worked nights recapping tires at T&T Tire.
Once his military service was complete, Eddie Tuck had a hand in creating the original Tire Factory group in Washington. At the time, there were separate groups for tire dealers in Oregon and Washington, and Eddie was appreciative of the help the Oregon group lended to the "brothers north of the Columbia River."
For years Eddie Tuck would pick up his Tire Factory shipments in Kirkland, Wash., often with his young son Ed Tuck III at his side. His son has since taken over the family business.
In time the groups would combine into a multi-state Tire Factory cooperative, and the group now operates as Point S USA. Eddie Tuck was among the dealers who wanted independent tire dealers to remain strong and competitive, his family says.
A celebration of Eddie’s life will be held at the Tacoma Yacht Club on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Family and friends who want to participate in his celebration of life are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, September 24th, to Ed Tuck III.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Neptune Society, where a full obituary is available. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
