The following is an obituary published on the front page of the Brooksville Star, July 11, 1913
Captain James F. Tucker passed away Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock at his home in Espiritu Springs in his 73rd year. This comes as a great shock to his hosts of friends in Hernando County and throughout the State.
The deceased was born in Miami but moved to Florida with his parents Capt. and Mrs. James Tucker in early childhood. They settled at Fernandina and he lived there until early manhood when he enlisted at the beginning of the Civil War with the Florida troops and served throughout the entire four years of struggle. For his valiant services, he was made Captain under Gen. Finnegan.
In the year 1864, he was married to Miss Virginia Bailey, daughter of General William Bailey of Monticello. They settled in Jefferson County, but in 1882, they removed to Hernando County where they owned valuable property in the Annuttalaga Hammock and he became interested in the culture of citrus fruits. In 1905, he with his wife and daughters, moved to Espiritu Santo Springs, being the owner of these famous Springs. He devoted much time and means to the development of these valuable holdings. Since that time, both Brooksville and Espiritu Santo Spings have been claimed as their home, as their has been divided between these two places.
The deceased has held for twenty years, a most responsible position with the Labor Department of the United States Government, but on account of ill health, was granted an indefinate leave of absence until his health should permit the resumption of his duties. Though having been in feeble health for over a year, his condition was not though to be alarming until Tuesday when his children were called to his bedside, all of who to suffer with him at the at the time of his death.
The deceased was a member of the Episcopal Church and was a gentleman possessing those rare traits of character which radiate kindness, sympathy, .love and loyalty to his fellow man. ... but his is a deeply personal loss to those who were so fortunate as to feel the influence of his noble life.
Left surviving him are his widow, a son, W.P. Tucker, of this place, and five daughters, Mrs. E.S. Mackenzie, of Leesburg, Mrs. O.M. Goodrich, Misses Virginia, Rosalie, and Susie Tucker, all of Espiritu Springs, and grand children, Mr. James Mackenzie, of Birmingham, Ala., Misses Sara, Virginia, Christine, Julia, and Master Ed Mackenzie. Four sisters also survive him; Mrs. Talmadge, Jersey Island, off the coast of England, Mrs. Livingston, of Fernandina, Mrs. M.M. Clay, Miss Annie Tucker, and Mrs. John Rhodes, all of Tampa.
The sympathy of the whole community goes out to the bereaved family in this their great sorrow.
Editor's Note: Espiritu Santo Springs is said to be named by Hernando De Soto in 1539 and is now a historic landmark in Safety Harbor, FL. A popular resort was established at the spot in 1925. Espiritu Santo means "of the Holy Spirit." Tucker's father, also Capt. James Felix Tucker (d. 1880), was a steamship captain. The steamship Madison captained by a James Felix Tucker during the Civil War can be found at the bottom of Troy Springs in Branford, FL off of US 27. The steamship was scuttled to prevent it from falling into Union possession.