By Cara Cowan Watts | Cherokee 411
May 20, 2004 – August 5, 2026
Jay, Oklahoma
Cherokee Nation Citizen
Tucker James Earp, 22, of Jay, Oklahoma, was born May 20, 2004, in Gravette, Arkansas, to Jamie and Treasa Earp. He was called home to be with the Lord on August 5, 2026, alongside his dad, Jamie. In a way only God could have written, the two made their final journey side by side.
From the beginning, Tucker had his own big personality. He was mischievous, rowdy, and always ready to make somebody laugh. There was rarely a dull moment when Tucker was around, and those who knew him best probably have a story, or several, to prove it. Underneath that rowdy exterior, though, was an incredibly soft heart. Tucker loved deeply, cared fiercely for his people, and would do anything for those he loved. Above all else, Tucker was a mama’s boy —and he made no apologies for it. She never wavered from accommodating his pickiness with lots of sloppy joes and pizza rolls.
Despite being an ornery little boy who seemed to continuously test his parents’ patience, Tucker had a sweet and tenderhearted demeanor. He kept everyone busy between the countless hours playing baseball with the Bad Dogs, Little League football and basketball, OJRA rodeos and whatever else he could find to get involved in—or get into. But no matter how busy life became, they always made sure their family was sitting in the second row at Mount Hermon Church on Sunday mornings. It was there that the foundation of Tucker’s faith was laid. At just eight years old, Tucker made the decision to give his life to Christ and was saved and baptized in 2012—a decision that would be the most important part of his story.
Tucker was a proud Jay Bulldog throughout the entirety of his school years, graduating from Jay High School in 2023. During those years, he was involved in FFA, proudly wore #5 on the basketball court, and ran cross country and track. Some of Tucker’s fondest memories from his school years came from the simplest moments. As an office aide, he became a familiar face in the office and especially enjoyed the time he shared with the ladies there. The role also gave Tucker the opportunity to spend extra time with his Uncle James, who served as his principal—something that made those years all the more meaningful. Tucker’s time at Jay was shaped not only by the things he was involved in, but by the friends and family who surrounded him and made his years as a Bulldog unforgettable.
Tucker rodeoed throughout his childhood and high school years, spending countless hours in the arena, on the road, and doing what he loved alongside his dad, siblings and closest friends. He carried his love for the sport into college, competing for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) on a full ride rodeo scholarship. He was a Cream of the Crop Freshman and was recognized for being successful at the NIRA Central Plains College Rodeos. Even while living his college years to the fullest and being the up-for-anything guy, Tucker graduated from NEO with an Associates of Science in Agriculture. During his time at college, his circle of friends grew, and he formed friendships that would last beyond those college days. But no matter how many new faces came into his life, Tucker never lost touch with the friends who had been by his side for years. He had a way of making room for new friendships while holding tightly to the old ones—a true reflection of just how loyal he was to the people he loved.
