Roderick Unray Tucker, 45, of San Diego, California passed away on Friday, November 18th, 2016 following a brief illness. Roderick was born on November 24, 1970, in Columbus, Mississippi. He graduated from Lee High School in 1988 and lived in Missouri and North Carolina before settling in California. Roderick was baptized as a Jehovah Witness at an early age. As a Witness, he loved to share his beliefs with others. Roderick was a trained chef working in beautiful resorts and on large cruise ships. Several years ago he began a second career as a professional baseball umpire. Being an umpire was his true passion and he often described umpiring as the "best job he'd ever done". Roderick loved the San Diego area and referred to it as the "most beautiful place on earth". He enjoyed sitting on the waterfront and watching the many ships move through the water out to sea. He was a loyal friend to everyone often sharing his love for history, issues of the day, and sports especially his MSU Bulldogs, SF Giants, and Chicago Bears. He had a contagious laugh, a sharp wit, and a caring heart. Roderick is survived by his parents, Edward and Frances Tucker of Mississippi; his trusted confidant, Helena Tucker; brothers Derrick Tucker (Michele) of California and Edward Tucker (Angie) of Texas; sisters Joyce Tucker of Mississippi and Alicia Tucker (Robbie) of California. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jacquelyn Renee Palmer. Roderick will be deeply missed by his nieces, Raquel Palmer and Gabriella Pratt and nephew, De'drick Tucker, along with many other family members and wonderful friends. Private services were held in San Diego, California. A family memorial will be scheduled in his home town of Columbus, Mississippi at a later date. Memories of Roderick can be shared in the remembrance book located at www.legacyfuneralcare.com . The family wishes to express their appreciation for the love and support shared by so many special friends of Roderick. "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'" Martin Luther King Revelation 21:3-5 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."