A Tribute to “Fred the Third”

Frederick C. Tucker, III passed away January 4, 2025 in Aiken, South Carolina. The third generation of Tuckers to own and operate the Tucker Company, Fred retired in 2010 after a distinguished career and countless relationships with agents and staff. Those in the company who knew him well treasured their friendships, and affectionately referred to him as “our Fred” or “Fred the Third.” Many of us last saw Fred in 2018 when he tearfully, as was his custom, accepted the Fred C. Tucker Senior Award posthumously in honor of his father “Bud” during the Centennial Celebration at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Fred was born and raised in Indianapolis, and attended DePauw University for his undergraduate work and Indiana School of Law where he received his JD degree. For four years following law school, he worked for Hackman, Hulett and Cracraft (now Hackman Hulett). Then, in 1977, Fred joined the F.C. Tucker Company, serving as Corporate Secretary and General Counsel, then Vice President of Operations and later as President and Co-Owner. 

What began as a strategic planning exercise assigned to Fred, Jim Litten, and David Goodrich led to the three purchasing the company from Fred’s father “Bud” and his partners in December 1985. Thus began a period of expansion and dominance for the Tucker Company. The mortgage, title, franchise, license school, referral, and home services operations were all developed during this time with Fred’s vision. 

Like his father and grandfather, Fred’s civic contributions were immense, fully living the “pay your civic rent” mantra. Fred deeply loved Indianapolis, its sports teams, and the city’s achievements. His impact within central Indiana was tangible. He served on the boards and committees of Crown Hill Cemetery, Goodwill Industries, Economic Club of Indianapolis, The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Convention and Visitors Association, NBD Bank, Anthem, Indiana Sports Corporation, Jordan College of Fine Arts Board of Visitors, Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, Junior Achievement and so many more. 

Within the industry, he served as President of MIBOR® in 1995 and was active in the Indiana Association of REALTORS® and the REALTORS® Political Action Committee. He gave freely of his leadership insight, time, and talent. Fred will be remembered especially for his generous, kind spirit. Over and over, people describe him in these terms noting that while he had iconic shoes to fill following his grandfather’s and father’s leadership of the company, he treated all with kindness and friendship. 

Some reflections of Fred say it best. 

Jim Litten: “There won’t be many Fred Tucker’s. He treated everyone with respect and kindness. In all our years together, I rarely heard a cross word from him. It was a brotherhood and he will be missed.”

Lori Dowler: “I never felt one bit uncomfortable around him due to him being one of the owners of the company. I would imagine many others would say the same. He always had time for me whenever I needed his guidance, which was often. One thing I’ll treasure is that Fred never forgot my birthday, even after retiring. Every year since 2010 he has either called or emailed me to wish me a happy birthday and tell me that I shouldn’t be at work on that day but instead out celebrating or relaxing! My most recent birthday, this past December 4th, wasn’t any different. I received a sweet email from him. Now that he has passed on, this email means the world to me.”

Donna Kreps: “Fred was the perfect gentleman, always an encourager and a person of deep commitment to those he loved and the real estate business. I will always remember him fondly and will never forget the passion he had when it came to serving others.  

I once asked him what he thought his grandfather’s vision was when starting our company, his reply ‘I believe my grandfather founded the Company due to a love of Indianapolis and a desire to be independent and in control of his destiny. My father followed in his footsteps. They were committed to professionalism. Both had a commitment to the City and to the opportunities to help shape its future. This commitment together with a belief in loyalty to family, friends, and associates allowed many to succeed.’ Fred embodied these commitments!  We were blessed by Fred’s leadership and friendship.”

Jerry Leugers: I am deeply saddened at the loss of my dear friend, mentor, and business partner. Fred, I am better for having met you 45 years ago. I am better for knowing you and I am better for our friendship. May you be as blessed in the next life, my friend, as I was in this one by knowing you.

Tucker Hawkins: “To me, Fred always kept the Tucker Company a family business that everyone was a part of, not just worked for, or at. He had that ability to make you feel you were a good friend and he enjoyed knowing you.  He was always funny and great to be with. Thanks Fred!”

Duane King: “Fred, was a friend to most everyone he met. When my son would come to the office with me, after school, he and Fred became friends and would often talk. My son even talked him into trying some mole sauce that he had made at school. He was so kind.”

Pat Purdue: “As was the case for so many of us, I loved the guy commonly known as Fred III. I had the honor of starting with the company at the same time Fred became one of the owners. I often said he was a father figure to me. He would jokingly say back ‘How about brother?’ We shared a bond with one another by supporting and loving each other through similar tough losses. The true spirit and character of the man was never more evident than during this time. I love you Fred III and will miss you dearly.”

Ron McGuire: “Fred was not only a very good friend but a mentor as well. Fred enjoyed life to the fullest and was quite the prankster. I had so many fun times with him. He will be sorely missed. RIP Mr. Fred.”

John Stewart: “Fred was the prime example of making the company a family!  He always had a smile. I will remember his open mind when I approached him about us getting in the mortgage business. Then later in my career, he approached me to consider running the auction division.  Fred was creative and a forward thinker. Outside of business, he made life fun… the events in my memory are endless, but the ones I think of most are the over two decades of the Cry Baby Open, a golf game between Fred and David Jessee vs. Dale Billman and myself. Dale and I never…I repeat…never won. And then the cocktails on the Duffy at Nantucket, the best boat on the lake! Last but not least, our multiple golf trips, but the ones to Aiken at Palmetto were fun times I will reflect upon with fond memories of laughter. His deep love for the company his grandfather founded was always prevalent as he fought back tears reading about the next recipient of the Tucker Senior Award! He will be missed by so many.”

Fred is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Betsy Moffitt, son-in-law Timothy Moffitt, son Fred Tucker, IV, daughter-in-law Corey Tucker and grandson Fred, V and the countless staff, former staff and agents of the F.C. Tucker Company whose lives he touched and enriched.