Elijah “Tucker” Dean, 10, of Elkton, was freed from this Earthly body, to run, jump, play, laugh and talk up the storm that he has longed for, on Thursday, July 4, 2024, which was one of his favorite days.

Tucker was born, March 15, 2014, in Harrisonburg, Virginia and was the son of Gregory “Dyche” Dean, II of Elkton, and Brittany Caricofe Dean of Bridgewater, who both loved him very much.

Tuck attended River Bend Elementary School in Elkton, where he made so many great friends with both staff and students. He enjoyed riding on the side by side or four-wheeler through the woods with his daddy, going to Smith Mountain Lake with his mommy, going to the Safari Park and seeing the llamas, swimming at the pool and going to the beach with his granddaddy Greg and grandma Diane. Most of all, he loved to be with his family and they loved to be with him.

In 2020, Tucker was diagnosed with leukodystrophy, which posed as a challenge and slowly took a toll on his little body. With all efforts and faith of everyone, hope was never given up to find a cure. Through all of this, Tucker was a trooper and remained the loving and happy little boy that he had always been. Family, friends and the community all came together with their support and that feeling was so very heart warming.

In addition to his parents, Tucker is survived and cherished by his grandparents, Greg and Diane Dean of Elkton, Roland Caricofe of Florida, and Diane and J.D. McCurdy of Bridgewater; aunts, Angela “Ang-Yang” Dean and husband, Shannon of Elkton, Kelly Cross and husband, Shannon of Elkton, Jenny Robinson and husband, Kris of McGaheysville, Jill Dean and husband, Brandon of Elkton, Arin Hawse and husband, Shannon of Dayton, Jodi Randolph and husband, Brad of Bridgewater, Nicole Case and husband, Bill of Whiting, ME; uncle, Sean Caricofe and wife, Jessica of Lubec, ME cousins, Zack Dean, Dillon Dean, Heather Dean, Shannon Cross, II, Jayson Cross, Dean Robinson, Parker Dean, Maddie Robinson, Walker Dean, who was Tucker’s prayer warrior and best friend always, Addie Hawse, Maddox Randolph, Braxton Randolph, A.J. Dolley, Tate Dolley, Webster Case, Alayna Caricofe, Jack Caricofe and Max Caricofe; close little cousins who adored him, Brody, Bryndle, Amelia, Ivy, Zion, Hazel, Zeke and Delaneigh; a special friend who was like an aunt, Misty Hall, as well as numerous extended family members and friends who will also miss him dearly.

Tucker was preceded in death by his great-grandparents and great family friends who loved him as their own, Chris and Teri Bowman.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, with Pastor Matt Cross officiating. Interment will follow at Dean Mountain Cemetery on Skyline Drive in Elkton.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Please consider wearing light blue to continue the fight for leukodystrophy, your Team Tucker shirt if you have one in honor of Tucker, or bright green, Tucker’s favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Tucker’s name to finding a cure for leukodystrophy at https://ulf.org/donate/.