"After high school, the only time I got to see Elton was at the annual Legion Feed in February. When I did see him again, he had a way of making it seem that it was just yesterday and not a year or more that had passed, since we'd last visited. I always enjoyed those conversations. Time and distance didn't seem to matter to him. Elton was a good and decent person, and I'm going to miss seeing him. My thoughts and praryers are with his family. "
In loving memory of
Elton D. Tackett
November 4, 2009
Elton Douglas Tackett, the oldest of two children, of Orville Ervin Tackett and Vera Leota (Andrews) Tackett, was born September 22, 1949 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Elton grew up on the family farm near Glenwood and graduated from Glenwood High School in 1968. He attended Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa where he majored in auto mechanics and worked at O'Malley's Furniture and at Stanley Chevrolet in Glenwood.
He joined the U.S. Navy in 1970 and was medically discharge in 1971. Elton and Deborah Ann Barnes were united in marriage at Grace United Methodist Church in Glenwood, Iowa on January 30, 1971. Their first home was an apartment in Glenwood and Elton began what would become a lifelong career as a farmer and auto mechanic. Elton and Deborah were blessed with three children, Elden Doyle, Danelle Annette, and Elliott DeWaine. Elton worked at the A.M.C. auto dealership in Tabor, Iowa and then the family moved to Malvern, Iowa where Elton worked for Bill Baer Ford. In 1977, Elton began working for Glenwood Auto and in 1978 the family returned to Glenwood and the family farm. Elton worked for Glenwood Auto until 1987 when he began working for Ace Mead's garage. Elton worked for Ace until 2000, when he went to work at the COOP Service Station in Silver City.
Elton enjoyed antique tractor restoration, attending and participating in swap meets, thrashing meets, farm shows, and plowing contests. He loved his John Deere tractors. In earlier years, he was a member of the Classic '55, '56, and '57 Chevy Club.
Elton passed away on November 4, 2009 at the Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha at the age of 60 years, 1 month, and 12 days. He was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Brianne Christine Tackett.
He is survived by his wife of over 39 years, Deborah Tackett; parents, Orville and Vera Tackett of Glenwood; children, Elden Tackett and his wife Jessica of Council Bluffs, IA, Danelle Tackett and Leslie Harris, Jr., and grandson Brendon Tackett, all of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Elliott Tackett of Council Bluffs; sister Julia Gray and husband Michael of Glenwood; other relatives and friends.
Tributes
"We were so sorry to hear the sad news about Elton. He was always so happy and full of life and a joy to visit with. He will be greatly missed at the next class reunion, for he was always the one that had the flatbed ready for all of us to ride on. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Just remember all of the wonderful memories that you have about him. "
"I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. The loss of a loved one is a terribly difficult time and to see them suffer through an illness makes it nearly unbearable. I hope that the family who has been left behind can find peace in knowing that he's watching over you and is now pain free. Eldon, please know that my thoughts are with you. I simply cannot imagine what you're going through, but I hope you know I'm thinking of you. "
"Dear Deb and family, I am so, so sorry to hear about Elton's death. Please know that we love you and are praying for you and yours. I didn't know Elton really well, but I know you cared for him deeply. God bless and contact me when you can so we can talk. Love you, Marolee"
"Deb and family, Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Remember all the good times and keep memories of him alive in your heart."
"We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Elton. He will truly be missed and we have a lot of good memories of him and good times shared, working with him at Co-op and all the joking that was done will always be cherished. Your family is in our prayers during this time of sorrow. May you keep all the wonderful memories with you and he will forever be in your hearts. "
"I was so saddened about the passing of Elton. We have been friends/classmates for over 40 years and I have many fond memories and good thoughts about him to remember. He was such a kind and gentle soul and I will miss the Homecomings that I have attended and had a fun time with him, at the Parade and out at Jo and Phil's, for a class gathering afterward. My condolences go out to his family and his wife Deb.....may you be consoled in the memories of the good times you shared with Eldon. Rest in piece now, my dear friend Elton.. free from the pain you have had to endure during your time of sickness. God Bless You."
"Thank you all so much for sharing your caring thoughts about my father. To all who know our father, know he IS a great man!! He will be missed greatly! Dad shared so many stories about his life with us, and those memories we shall keep close to our hearts and remember all the great things he taught us and all the great times we shared as a family!!! Through these trying times I have had the honor to meet so many of my father's close friends, who meant so much to him and vice versa. Just know that his friends are in our hearts and prayers too, as we know that this has been such a hard loss for you all as well....."
"Deb & Family, Sorry to hear of your loss; our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jack & Ruth"
"our thoughts and prayers are with Elton's family,we will miss him at our Keg Creek Tractor meetings and parties, he was always a really nice guy to talk to all these years about tractors"
"I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Elton,I was a classmate in Glenwood and we ran around a lot when we were kids in school.Elton and lots of other classmates called me Wiggles and the last time that I visited with Elton we remenessed about the times we ran around and we had a lengthy visit.That must have been about 7 or 8 years ago.I have lots of good memories of our times together and will always chairich them! The sorrow in your hearts has to be heavy and knowing that others shared in knowing a fine man as Elton helps during this time of sorrow."