Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe speaks on passing of former Gov. Jim Guy Tucker

Little Rock, Arkansas – After learning of the death of former Arkansas Governor Jim Guy Tucker, former Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe remarked, “Once a governor, always a governor,” recalling the moments he spent with the former governor.

“From his time in Congress to his tenure as attorney general and most definitely as governor, he had a full, full life and was involved in so many political and government service activities,” Beebe said.

Tucker attended Harvard University and Hall High School in Little Rock before becoming the 43rd governor of Arkansas following Bill Clinton’s election as president and his successful reelection as governor in 1994.

After that, he joined the Marines and was released because of health problems. He became a war correspondent in Vietnam three months later. Tucker’s book “Arkansas Men At War” was published as a result of his experiences.

After that, Tucker went back to Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas for law school. He started his political career as an elected prosecutor serving Perry and Pulaski County shortly after graduating.

According to Beebe, people who knew Tucker continue to carry on his legacy of wearing several hats.

According to Beebe, “he was a guy who was pretty hard to move once he was convinced of something, but he would move if the facts suggested he needed to.”

According to Beebe, one of his favorite memories is of Tucker’s time as governor and his time in the Senate, where he spoke about education.

According to Beebe, “I believe it was the moment when we all realized that there had to be some give and take and local input from school districts and patrons.”

According to Beebe, all of the former governors are like family, and although families suffer with and for one another, they also provide comfort to Betty, Jim Guy Tucker’s wife.

“We are all praying for her, thinking of her, and wishing her the very best during this difficult time,” Beebe stated.