GARLAND TRUMAN TACKETT
1921-2003
Garland Truman Tackett, 81, of Paintsville, died Friday, April 11, at
Highlands Regional Medical Center, Prestonsburg.
Born Dec. 22, 1921, in Johnson County, he was the son of the late
Johnie (Franklin) Tackett Sr. and Clara Blevins Tackett.
He was a coal miner and a World War II Army veteran.
After serving more than three years at home and abroad, he retired
from the military in October 1945 with various honors — including two
bronze stars, a Good Conduct Medal and a rifle marksmanship badge.
While stationed in Northern France and Central Europe, he served as
an Army special vehicle driver for various military dignataries,
including Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was the Supreme Commander of the
troops invading France on D-Day, 1944, and later became president in
1952.
As the last surviving sibling, he was preceeded in death by three
brothers, Buell Tackett, Thurman Tackett and John Franklin Tackett
Jr.; and five sisters, Annie, Martha, Ethel, Goldie and Gladys. He
was also preceeded in death by two sons, Garland Eugene Tackett and
James A. Tackett. Survivors include eight sons, Winford Salyers and
Mike Tackett, both of Lowmansville, Anthony Tackett of Lancashire,
UK; Johnie Tackett, of Mass., Buell Tackett, of Paintsville, Jodie
Tackett and Brian Tackett, both of Wittensville, and Jimmie Tackett,
of Linchburg, Ohio; seven daughters, Bonnie Betts, Mikela Amburn,
Judy Montgomery, Alice Tackett and Gladys Tackett, all of Ohio, Julie
Heaton, of South Carolina, and Robin Blevins, of Prestonsburg; 47
grandchildren; and 36 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, April 13, at the Jones-Preston
Funeral Home chapel under the direction of Ronnie Spriggs.
Members of the Chapter 18 DAV in Auxier conducted military honors,
including a 21-gun salute, at the funeral home.
Burial followed in the Highland Memorial Park in Staffordsville.
Big Sandy News
Wednesday
Apr.16 2003