Gerald Wayne Tackett

Gerald Wayne Tackett, age 76, of Fayetteville, died Saturday, July 8th, 2017 in Fayetteville. He was born December 7th, 1940 in Fayetteville to John Marvin and Virgie Mary "Tommie" Tackett. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Jeanne; an infant son, Darren Tackett; his son in law, Pat Bembenek; his parents, his step father, Ted Wright; his sister, Rosemary Baird and brother Sonny Tackett, and his best friend Jesse Jobe. He was a husband, father, Papaw, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend… A graduate of Vernon High School in Vernon, Texas, in 1958 he entered the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served our country for four years earning the rank of Corporal. In 1962, he met the love of his life, Jeanne Worley, and they married in 1963. They set up home in Dallas and then Carrollton, Texas, where he worked as a night switchman for Southwestern Bell/AT&T for 35 years, retiring in 1997. They raised two daughters and too many dogs and cats to count. In 1998, they moved from Carrollton to Fayetteville where they built their home in the hills. He brought joy to everyone he met and never turned away a kid, friend, or animal who needed him. He was the rock of his family, and those who knew him loved him well and will miss him dearly. His crooked grin and "Hi Sugar" will forever live in many hearts. He is survived by his two daughters, Lynda Denise Tackett Bembenek and her husband David Lee Cavins of Fayetteville; Sherry Elaine Tackett Wright and her husband Bryndan Wright of Mansfield, Texas; daughter-elect, Gina Richroath of Collinsville, Texas; six grandchildren, U.S. Army Maj. Melissa Bembenek Schroeder, U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Eli Bembenek, Grant Jesse Bembenek, Wade Bembenek, USMC Lance Corporal Andrew Wright and Kathryn Elaine Wright; three great-grandchildren, Cambria Bembenek and Jane & Annella Schroeder; five siblings, Carolyn Paschal, Telisa Lowe, Vanessa Brown, Molly Hollan and Frank Tackett; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and too many friends to count. Services will be at Moore's Funeral Chapel on Saturday July 15th at 11 a.m. with a viewing on Friday July 14th from 5-7 p.m. He will be laid to rest with his beloved wife, Jeanne, at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville on Monday, July 17th at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lynda Jeanne Tackett Memorial Scholarship, Marion Chapter NSDAR, P.O. Box 98, Fayetteville, Ark. 72702. To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.