RUSSELLVILLE — Arvil E. “Buddy” Tackett,
94, of Russellville, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at the Russellville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born July 25, 1925, near Atkins, Arkansas, to William Ellis and Gracie Rittie Montgomery Tackett. He was a loving husband and father, and a man of integrity.
“Buddy” was a proud member of the Greatest Generation, serving in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War. His military service ranged from 1943 through 1945 in World War II, and from 1948 through 1953 in the Korean War. He was a member of the 1st Seabees of the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion, (with the 116th and 98th Navy Construction Battalion,) during WWII. His Korean War tour was spent on the USS Valley Forge Air Craft Carrier. Highly decorated, his military honors include the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, the Victory Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the 3 Star Korean Service Ribbon, Navy Occupation Medal, and the China Service Medal.
Upon his discharge from the U.S. Navy, “Buddy” married Wilma Sue Cobb in 1954. They lived in San Leandro, California, where he worked for the Peterbilt Truck Factory as an assemblyman mechanic. After their son Nathan’s birth, the family moved to Russellville, Ark., where “Buddy” attended Morrilton Vo-Tech, and founded, owned, and operated Russellville Repair Service for some 40 years, and was an accomplished machinist and woodwork craftsman. He was a lifelong member of Russellville First Assembly of God.
“Buddy” served his family, as well as his country and community. He was known for his integrity, humility, devotion to family, and work ethic. He was creative, analytic, could “fix” anything, and he enjoyed reading. As a devoted Christian, he will be fondly remembered by all who knew him: “… not my will, but Thine be done,” Luke 22:42b.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Sue Cobb Tackett, sisters: Sybil Maria Tackett Gibson, Ora Helen Tackett, Hattie Belle Tackett Robinson, Vera Estelline Tackett Hartsfield, Naomie Lois Tackett Miller, Esther Ruth Tackett Carter, Gracie Cevola Tackett Leininger, and brothers: John Mark Tackett and Montgomery “Montie” Demar Tackett. Survivors include a son, Nathan Edward Tackett of Little Rock; three (3) sisters: Annie Jane Tackett Chaney of Merced, California, Georgia Beatrice Tackett Jones of Oakhurst California and Vela Faith Tackett Page of Russellville; one (1) grandchild, Tosha Renea Tackett of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and two (2) great-grandchildren, Kevyn Michael Strong and Kymberleigh Nicole Strong both of Russellville, Arkansas.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020, at First Assembly of God in Russellville, officiated by the Rev. Ronnie Morris. Burial with Military Honors provided by the United States Navy will be in McFadden Cemetery located on Hwy. 7 North, Dover, Arkansas, under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening February 20, 2020, from 5-7 p.m., at Shinn’s Funeral Service, located at 800 West Main Street in Russellville, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be: Andrew Steffy, Isaac Steffy, APD SGT. Scott Harper, Retired RPD CPL John B. Hawkins, Retired RPD, LT. David Hunt, LRPD CAPT. Kenneth Temple, Dr. James Hilburn, Glenn Lawton.
Memorials may be made to Russellville First Assembly of God Church, 124 E G Street, Russellville, Arkansas 72801. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.