Harry V. Tucei, 86, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2014, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.   He was born June 4, 1928 in Biloxi, Mississippi, the seventh child of Joseph Bless Tucei and Nancy Parrillo Tucei. He had two brothers and five sisters.

As a young boy, Harry sold newspapers at Keesler Air Force Base - perhaps this is when his love of aviation began. Harry graduated from Biloxi's Notre Dame High School in 1945 and attended Mississippi State University. In 1946, he joined the Navy as a gunner's mate serving on the USS Randolph in the European theater. Following his honorable discharge, Harry attended the University of Tulsa and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology in 1953. After working on survey and seismic crews he hired on at Home Stake Oil & Gas in Tulsa. He retired from Home Stake as Vice President and Chief Geologist in 1993 after more than 35 years of service.

On August 3, 1955, Harry married Alice Leona Culliton in Tulsa and they remained married until her death in 1993. They raised three children and enjoyed traveling together. Harry coached his sons in various sports when they were young and closely followed college football most of his life. Harry and Alice were members of the Church of the Madalene, Tumbleweeds Square Dancers and Tulsa Mountain Cloggers. During this time, Harry began gardening and took great pride in caring for his lawn and landscape.

In the spring of 1994, Harry invited Bunny Tipton on a date and their lives quickly became entwined. Harry delighted in traveling with Bunny and being a part of her family which includes 2 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

In his retirement, Harry was a docent at Gilcrease Museum and delivered Meals on Wheels. Harry was an avid collector of World War II memorabilia with a special focus on aviation. He relished any opportunity to share his knowledge of one of his interests especially rocks, fossils, photography and anything military related. He had a gift for making people feel comfortable and to engage them in conversation. Harry was a loyal and steadfast friend to many.

Harry is survived by his loving companion of more than 20 years, Bunny Mason Tipton, daughter Diane and husband Don Armijo of Katy, TX, sons Joe of Virginia Beach, VA and Mark of Jacksonville, FL, grandchildren Ryan and Derek Armijo, Peyton and Ava Tucei, and Brittany Tucei, great-grandson Gregory Christian, brother Fred Tucei of Gautier, MS, and sisters Inez Taylor of St. Charles, MO and Claire Breal of Biloxi, MS, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm on Monday, September 22 at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 1402 South Boulder Avenue. A funeral Mass will be at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, September 23 at the Church of the Madalene, 3188 East 22nd Street South. Interment with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Family and friends may honor Harry's memory with contributions to USO.org or WoundedWarriorProject.org.


FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151