Michael Tucker

Michael R. Tucker, a Cleveland lawyer who spent more than a decade rock climbing around the world, died in a rock climbing accident on April 24. He was 27. Michael had recently returned to Cleveland to serve as the Staff Attorney for the Honorable Richard McMonagle, overseeing the newly created commercial docket of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court deciding business disputes. Michael was recently interviewed and stated that the goal of the commercial docket was "to resolve business disputes quickly, to add to the reliability of the judicial system." Michael was a passionate outdoorsman who made time to teach rock climbing at the Cleveland Rock Gym, and to climb at sites around North America. He frequently traveled to Red River Gorge in eastern Kentucky, the New River in W. Virgina, Hueco Tanks in Texas, Yosemite, and Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as abroad. Michael had a deep love of nature and a profound respect for the discipline, both physical and mental, necessary for rock climbing. Michael graduated from University School in 2000, and received his undergraduate degree from The University of Colorado in 2004. After spending two years rock climbing around the world and guiding other climbers at Hueco Tanks in Texas as a certified guide, Michael returned to Cleveland and attended Cleveland Marshall Law School for a year, completing his law training at The Ohio State Moritz College of Law in 2009 where he served on the Law Review. He is survived by his parents, Bob and Karen Tucker Shaker Heights and his mother, Christy Cole Grosse Pointe Shores, MI and his three sisters, Emily Los Angeles, Kelly Elliott Cleveland, and Ann Elliott Chicago. Grandson of John and Mary Cole of South Carolina and the late Carl and Hester Tucker of Cleveland. Nephew of Dwight and Sally Shelton Atlanta, John and Pat Kilkenny Lexington, Ky., Peter and Linda Tucker San Diego, Stan and Sally Scheurman San Diego, Mark Amaddio and Barb Ekelman Shaker Heights, Peter Dunham and Beth Ekelman Cleveland and Robert and Coleen Ashworth Hawaii. Beloved cousin of many. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Michael's memory to The Access Fund, a national organization dedicated to conserving the climbing environment, P.O Box 17010 Boulder, Colorado 80308, or to Western Reserve Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 314, Novelty, Ohio 44072. A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, April 29 at 3:00 PM in Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD., SHAKER HTS., OH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28TH FROM 3-5 PM AND 7-9 PM . BROWN-FORWARD SERVICE 216 752-1200


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