Kell. Aunt Kelli. Kellog. Kelli Crocker, for her sole cooking endeavor – tomato soup (no lumps!) There was no single name big enough to hold everyone she was to us.
Kelli Loujean Tuck was born June 12, 1963, to parents living in Bastrop County, where her family had lived for seven generations, apparently just waiting for her to arrive and liven up the place!
She was the youngest of six, born last but never least, with enough humor, charisma, and performing talent to achieve the goal of most last-born children - to achieve attention. Her mother, Jean Kelly Tuck, was a professional dancer and teacher, whose students included Patrick Swayze. She handed her daughter a version of her own maiden name at birth, which proved to be an omen. Her father, Grady Tuck Jr., was a jazz musician and successful real estate developer. Performing was in the blood, and she understood that some gifts were meant to be spent, not saved.
After attending school in Kerrville where her parents moved when she was 9, Kelli graduated from St. Mary's Hall in San Antonio. Thereafter, she went straight into dance, acting as choreographer and performing and with the Playboy Girls of Rock 'N Roll in Las Vegas, and on tours across the world. She performed at Caesars Palace in Lake Tahoe and an extended residency in a spectacular magic show at the Reno Hilton.
Though Texas raised her, California is where she made her mark. Inspired by her partially deaf brother Billy, Kelli became an ASL interpreter and founded the deaf dance troupe "On the Other Hand, Dance," a name that was pure Kelli. She went on to pioneer "Grandma's House," a TV show for deaf children, before creating, directing, and acting as show runner for the fastest growing PBS series, CD Highway. Her show interviewed guests after their performance, juxtaposing legends like Lou Rawls and Pat Benatar with rising artists, affording a generation of young performers their first national stage.
The true light of her life was her son, Haven "Q" Jarel, with whom she returned to Kerrville when he was a young boy, allowing him to get to know his Texas family and heritage. The allure of Hollywood kept calling her however, and the two of them made the move back to the coast official on October 10, 2010, with a small dog and a dirt bike wedged into the back seat. Haven, carries the family's artistic streak forward today as an actor and musician in LA, and remains the brightest beacon of her generous, kind spirit.
Kelli mentored generations of us, starting with her nieces Hillary Hedges Kroll and Corbett Tuck. Both lived with her in LA, attending Beverly Hills High, while chasing acting careers. Kelli was right there with them, chauffeuring them to auditions and standing watch like a one-woman entourage. She was the on set guardian for Hillary while she starred in Honey, I shrunk the Kids.
Niece Hailey Tuck came next, living with Aunt Kelli before becoming a Sony recording artist and international jazz vocalist.
Kelli was predeceased by her parents Jean and Grady Tuck, Jr., siblings Billy, Mike, and Cyndie Tuck; nephews, Joseph Grady Tuck (Jay) IV, and Chandler Tuck She is survived by her son Haven, her brothers Joe Grady Tuck of Bastrop, his daughters Hailey Tuck and Corbett Tuck, and Reggie Tuck of Kerrville, Reggie's wife Rhonda, their children Mason, Cody, and Travis, and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville, Texas.
Kelli's extraordinary generosity, infectious laughter, and lifelong dedication to opening doors for others ensured that her influence extended far beyond the stage. She will be remembered with deep love and enduring gratitude by all whose lives she touched!
All will be invited to a Celebration of Kelli’s Life immediately following the service at a venue to be announced during the service.
Condolences may be sent at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.