It was an emotional night for Hampton city councilmembers Wednesday as they recognized the service of three outgoing members of the board, including Mayor Donnie Tuck.
Both Chris Bowman, elected in 2020, and Billy Hobbs, elected in 2012, are ending their time on city council at the end of 2024. City representatives paid special tribute to Tuck and his tenure at the final meeting of the year.
“He is the only mayor that I've had a chance to work with,” said Vice Mayor Jimmy Gray, who won the mayorship in November after Tuck chose not to seek reelection. “I just want to say from the bottom of my heart how grateful I am to have had an opportunity to serve with him.”
“He's a special person. He does business in a special way. I think that's evidenced by the reactions that he has seen, the outpouring of support and love that he's seen over the last several days and weeks as people have said goodbye to him.”
Tuck first entered Hampton city government as a councilmember in 2010, winning reelection in 2014. He lost a race for the mayorship in 2012 before becoming mayor in 2016.
Prior to that, the energetic mayor started his career working in radio and television. He then moved into positions in public relations, spending time at his alma mater, Duke University, as well as Howard University and Washington’s National Football League team. He also worked as a division manager in Norfolk’s Public Works department.
Councilmember Hope Harper commented on a spiritual significance behind the number 14, the amount of years Tuck served as an elected official for the city of Hampton.
“A spiritual meeting of number 14 is transformation and embrace of change, which you have done head on,” she said. “I'm going to miss your ‘Go Hampton’ spirit and your infectious laugh and your humor.”
In his final State of the City address earlier this month, Tuck said he couldn’t have served as long as he did without the support and advocacy of his wife, retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Robie Tuck. He said the experience was the culmination of a lifelong dream, having tried for 25 years to get elected before succeeding in 2010.
“There were people who started this journey with me, who believed in me, and unfortunately they're no longer here,” Tuck said.
He paid homage to Bishop Gail Roberts-House of the Full Gospel Baptist Church for being available to talk after tough meetings before turning his attention to his fellow members of council and city employees.
“There have been many times we have not agreed, but it's just a fact that we have been a team,” Tuck said.
“We have a tremendous city staff. Some are no longer with the city, but I am just overjoyed with the fact that there are people in the city's employ who really, really want to do the work on behalf of our citizens.”
In a sentence, Tuck summed up his time in Hampton government as “a joy.”
“I just wish the best for all of you,” he said at his last City Council meeting. “I know that you're going to be in great hands with Mayor Gray and the new council, and I just hope that we have charted some things that will be easy for them to follow and do even greater things in the future.”
