Charles Newton Larkin's Obituary
Dr. Charles Newton “Tucker” Larkin passed away June 9, 2017. Born in Memphis on September 18, 1946, he is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John C. and Helen Heckle Larkin, maternal grandparents, Grover McCormick and Marguerite Pittenger McCormick, parents, Gloria McCormick Larkin and Elton E. Larkin Sr., his uncles, Dr. John C. Larkin, Gerald J. Larkin and Grover McCormick, Jr., and his brother-in-law, William “Billy” Ayres.He graduated from Christian Brothers High School where he was a member of the CBHS Hall of Fame. He was a member of the ATO fraternity. He graduated from the University of Memphis and went on to attend the University of Tennessee Medical School receiving a degree in Pediatric Medicine. He served in the United States Navy in North Carolina as a Lieutenant Colonel during his first years as a pediatrician.Upon moving back to Memphis, he joined Pediatrics East where he spent 34 years of his career there. Loved and well respected throughout his career as a pediatrician, he was extremely active in the Memphis medical community. He served as past president of the Memphis & Shelby County Medical Society, and was an active member of the Memphis Pediatric Society, the Tennessee Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He also served on the Board of the Select Health Science of Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation and received such honors as being named one of “America’s Top Pediatricians”, as well as one of “Memphis’ Top Doctors”. At his retirement, he was asked what he would miss the most about working. His response, “all my children.”In his spare time, he enjoyed golf, traveling, sailing, scuba diving, fly fishing, and snow skiing. His hobbies found him traveling the world to further enjoy them. He was active in Ridgeway, Colonial, and TPC Country Clubs. He enjoyed reading and learning different languages. He also enjoyed being a Knight of the Vine member and traveling to California wine country. Tucker was a communicant at St. Louis Catholic Church, where his family were founding members. Because of his devout faith, he was inducted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem as a Knight Commander, and had the privilege to visit the Holy Land with his beloved wife, Peggy.He leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Peggy; a daughter Kelly Larkin Schade (Nick) and his only grandchild, his namesake, “Tucker”; brothers, Elton E. Larkin.Jr., (Tina) of Memphis, Steve N. Larkin (Kathie) of Atlanta; sisters, Libba Nance (Dwain) of Memphis, Jeanne Ayres and Helen Larkin of Memphis. He also leaves behind a much-loved extended family, and many nieces and nephews from as far away as Turkey and Australia.The family would like to thank Dr. Kurt Tauer and his staff for their extraordinary care at The West Clinic, and to the special personnel at Methodist Hospice. Special thanks to West Clinic infusion nurse, Rebecca Prate, a former patient of his, for making him comfortable and cared for during his visits.Visitation and Rosary 5:00-7:00 PM on June 13, 2017 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at Saint Louis Catholic Church at 10:00 AM on June 14, 2017 followed by a private entombment in Memorial Park Cemetery. A reception to celebrate Tucker’s life will be held in The Clunan Center following the service.The family requests any memorials be made to either St. Louis Catholic Church,203 S. White Station Road, Memphis, TN 38117, the Memphis Medical Foundation, 1067 Cresthaven Road, Memphis. TN 38119; or the Herb Kosten Pancreatic Support Center, 6060 Poplar Ave, Suite 140, Memphis, TN 38119.
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