The Tuck Family has been active in CFD Parades for six generations spanning approximately 85 years. Norbert (Norb) Tuck, who served as the Laramie County Sheriff for 18 years and served as the Cheyenne Chief of Police, started the Laramie County Sheriff’s Posse. The Posse participated in CFD Parades, Grand Entries, and performed as a drill team, in addition to providing search and rescue operations within Laramie County.
Richard E. (Gene) Tuck, one of Norb’s sons, drove the Mail Cart in every CFD Parade from 1956-1981, dressed in vintage wool mailman uniforms. Gene also served on the CFD Racing/Night Show Committee as the lead racing judge, where chuckwagon racers thought he was esteemed because he had the ability to handle their disputes with each other and CFD, a judge on the backstretch, and lead organizer of the chuckwagon races each day. In addition, Gene donated his truck and sled for the Night Show Animal Recovery. Gene also entered many mares and colts in Doc Ketchum’s Mare and Colt Races and was elected to the HEELS in 1967.
Sharon (Sherry) Farthing Tuck, Gene’s Wife, was inducted as a W-HEEL in 1965 and served as Chairwoman from 1973-1976. Under her leadership of the W-HEELS, the Wagon Doctors were created to preserve the extensive vintage carriages that were used in the parades. Sherry rode sidesaddle in numerous parades from approximately 1948 to 1998 with her mother, Irene Farthing, daughters Cheryl Tuck-Smith and Teema Tuck McIntosh, and granddaughter Morgane Dussault.
Joe Tuck, another of Norb’s sons, served on the CFD Police Committee and later the CFD Contestants Committee. Joe was previously a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who served approximately 100 missions in Vietnam, where his military career was cut short when he was injured in a debilitating vehicle accident. However, that didn’t stop Joe from volunteering for CFD and other organizations. Joe was elected as a HEEL in 1980 and performed duties at Chute 9 during all rodeos for over 30 years. He participated in almost every Pancake Breakfast during CFD from approximately 1975 to 2009 and also drove the Mail Cart in the parades after the death of his brother Gene.
Teema Tuck McIntosh, one of Gene and Sherry’s daughters, is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the CFD Old West Museum and its Expansion Committee. Before her current role, she served as a docent and volunteer for the Museum. As a young woman, Teema rode divided skirt and sidesaddle in the parades and rode on various floats and carriages. She was also an usher for the rodeos when she was a member of the Girl Scouts and during summers between her high school years she was employed by the CFD Committee at headquarters.
Cheryl Tuck-Smith, another of Gene and Sherry’s daughters, was inducted as a W-HEEL in 2016 and is the current Chairwoman of the organization; making Cheryl and Sherry the first mother and daughter to both serve as the chairwoman of the W-HEELS. Additionally, she was directly requested by Louise Cole to serve as a liaison with the CFD Foundation during the construction of the new Louise and Frank Cole Costume Room. Cheryl rode divided skirt and sidesaddle in many parades and drove the Animal Recovery Sled at the Night Show Chuckwagon Races from 1967 to 1973. As a member of the Girl Scouts, Cheryl volunteered as an usher at the rodeos. Cheryl, her daughter Morgane, granddaughters Marli and May Dussault, and great-grandchildren Sawyer and Sophie have ridden in the Four Generation Carriage in the 2021 and 2024 parades.
May Dussault rode divided skirt and side saddle in several parades and is currently serving as a member of the Dandies.
Jerry K. Smith, Cheryl’s husband, served as an outrider for all parades form 2015 to 2022.