Lee Alton Tackett
Lee Alton Tackett passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at the age of 82 years.
Lee was the son of John & Mary Ann (Tucker) Tackett, born on November 30, 1938, in Pittsburg, Oklahoma. During his early years he was brought up and attended schools in the Jackfork community. The family moved to Oregon, where he attended high school until joining the U.S. Navy. He served three years, as Parachute Rigger and later as Loadmaster on military airplanes, a position which required him to carry a gun and aggravated marines flying with him who were not allowed to be armed. He was stationed in Japan and often flew into China, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan. He would have reenlisted after three years, but did not because he would not have been allowed to remain stationed in Japan. He returned for a while to Jackfork, then spent time in Utah and Colorado, before returning to Oklahoma to stay. He married Beverly (Hughes) Benson on November 3, 1977, in Durango, Colorado. The Stuart area has been their home for the past forty years. Lee worked many years as a truck driver and welder, and finally for fifteen years at the Ammunition Depot in McAlester. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially big game such as Elk. But he was, first and foremost, always a cowboy, and he was happiest on the ranch with the horses, cattle, and hay. He loved to ride, break, and shoe horses, and loved riding bulls in the rodeo. He was a member of the Disabled Veterans of American (DAV) Lodge in McAlester, and very much enjoyed helping veterans.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John & Mary Ann Tackett; five brothers: Olen Tackett, Jerry Tackett, Bill Tackett, Floyd Tackett, and Johnny Tackett; three sisters: Kit Campbell, Betty Clark, and Pansy Barnes.
He is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Beverly, of the home; six children: Michael Tackett of Oklahoma City, Terry Tackett of Missouri, Steve Tackett, also of Missouri, Vickie Zolghadri (Ali) of Georgia, Bob Benson, and Valary Benson, both of Oklahoma City; five grandchildren: Tisha Von-Cuten, Ethan Tackett, Kendra Tackett, Ashley Tackett, and Shireen Zolghadri; one brother, Fred Tackett (Suzie) of Jackfork OK, and two sisters, Ida Penny of Bartlesville, and JoAnn McCord of Holdenville; numerous nieces and nephews, other family members, and many friends.
Funeral services with military honors will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2021, 1:00 p.m. at Fisher Funeral Home-Lillye Chapel, and Lee will be laid to rest at Lamar Cemetery, with Pastor Lonnie Hoelscher officiating. Pallbearers are Kane Tackett, Kyle Tackett, Trent Simrell, Marcy Mooney, Mike Tackett, and Steve Tackett. Honorary pallbearers are Fred Tackett, Jerred Turner, and Jack Morris.