BEAUMONT, Texas — Staff at the Cotton Creek Winery and members of the Southeast Texas community are beyond heartbroken as they mourn the loss of the winery's longtime owner.
Artie Tucker died Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at the age of 58. Prior to his death, Tucker was battling stage 4 lung and liver cancer.
During his battle, Cotton Creek Winery staff gathered to support him and his family. They held a fundraiser in 2022 to raise money for their beloved boss.
Derek McWilliams is a long-time Cotton Creek Winery employee. In a Facebook post, he said Tucker's passing is more than just the loss of a boss, it is the loss of a friend who felt like family.
McWilliams described Tucker as a, "mastermind behind all the wines and ciders and much more."
Tucker leaves behind his wife, Traci Gafford Tucker; his mother, Mary Ann Tucker; his two sisters, Yvette Wright and Dena Harbin; his two children, Arthur Brian Tucker who is married to Hannah Tucker and James Blake Tucker who is married to Kayla Tucker, and three grandchildren.
Winery staff are asking Southeast Texas to keep his family and friends in their prayers.
A memorial service for Artie Tucker will be held at Broussard's on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 6 p.m. Broussard's is located at at 1605 North Major Drive .
The winery will be closed Friday for the memorial.
Those who would like to make memorial contributions can make them to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 632008, Houston, Texas 77263 or the MD Anderson Cancer Center for Research, P.O. Box 4319, Houston, Texas 77210-4319.
Winery staff took to Facebook to express their gratitude toward the Southeast Texas community for their kind words and condolences as they navigate through this difficult time.
They plan to keep the winery, "going and alive."
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