Dr. Anton Dean Tucker

A memorial service will be held for Dr. Anton Dean Tucker (Tony) at a later date. He died unexpectedly on February 1st in Perth, Australia with his life partner Dr. Nancy FitzSimmons by his side.

Tony Tucker was born in Washington, GA, the son of Doris and Hubert Tucker, Jr. He lived in Washington until his high school graduation in 1975 when he became mesmerized by the ocean, conservation and wildlife and decided to follow his dream of making the world a better place by becoming a scientist and wildlife conservationist.

Tony's childhood was lovingly spent at the Mary Willis Library (mentor Marjorie Morrow librarian) and at the Washington Wilkes City Pool (with swim teacher Olive Wills). An accomplished WWCHS Band member (tuba player), track runner, gifted artist (student of Helen Willingham) and shoe shiner @ Earl George’s barber shop. Tony was an active member of the First Baptist Church and choir member, soloist and ensemble member under the tutelage of Troupe Harris, Jr. where he enjoyed singing with close high school friends (Joe Randall, Ronnie Cofer and others). He was a state leader in the Y Club.

Always studious in nature and spirit; Tony graduated as Salutatorian of his WWCHS class in 1975.

He delighted in working as a lifeguard throughout his high school and college years @ Jekyll Island GA public beaches. There he took a deep interest in nesting sea turtles that would leave an indelible mark on his career; as he studied them intently throughout his life. Additionally, Tony became a renowned expert in crocodiles. In later years, when visiting the Atlanta Aquarium; he alerted staff to the bizarre swim pattern of a beluga whale which died the next day.

Tony earned numerous educational degrees: Georgia Southern University in Biology, the University of Georgia in Zoology and the University of Queensland, Australia where he received his doctorate in Zoology.

His working career included being a Research Assistant at the UGA Savannah River Ecology Lab where he worked with a renowned hepatology group. After completing his PhD he became a Senior Conservation Office with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service in Bundaberg, Australia doing research and conservation work on freshwater turtles.

Tony later worked with the US Geological Survey in Guam, helping on a project to better understand how to deal with an invasive brown tree snake problem.

From there, he returned to the states and worked as a Senior Scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium for ten years in Sarasota, FL, running their extensive marine turtle program.

Afterwards, he returned to Australia (as he was a dual citizen) and worked as a Senior Research Scientist for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in Perth Australia for the Western Australia Government for the last twelve years of his esteemed career. The author of countless articles and publications, Tony was honored by the naming of a turtle parasite. “Camallanus tuckeri” named in recognition of his knowledge of turtles of the Kimberley region of Western Australia where he and Nancy had studied the turtles for 25 years

Tony is survived by his 35 year life partner, Dr. Nancy FitzSimmons of North Stradbroke Island, AU and twin sisters Kay Tucker McFarlin (Tim) and Kim Tucker Wall (James). Nieces: Courtney McFarlin Lott (Jim), Katherine Wall, Nephew: Will Tucker and Great Nephews: Taylor Lott and Tucker Lott, Aunt and Uncle: Gwen and Jere Akin of Acworth, GA

Tony was preceded in death by his parents (Doris and Hubert Tucker, Jr.) and grandparents (Nellie Ann Tucker and Hubert Tucker, Sr. of Washington, GA) (David and Talulah Payne of Carnesville, GA).

Contributions in Tony’s memory may be made to Mary Willis Library in Washington, GA.