Chief Charles William Tackett

Chief Charles William Tackett, 86, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2014. He was born on June 11, 1928 to William and Marie Tackett in Lexington, KY. His sister Polly was happy to have a little brother. The family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas during WWII. Both his parents worked at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi. After the war his father opened up Tackett Roofing Co. and Charles helped during the summer. Charles graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1947. He went in the Air Force on January 29, 1948 and received Honorable Discharge B Company 15th Infantry BN, USMR on January 28, 1950. He served Corpus Christi Police Department from 1950 till 1973. He received Governor of Texas Scholarship while at Sam Houston State University for Academic Year 1971-72 and was granted a year leave with full pay by the Corpus Christi City Council during the Academic Year 1971-72 to complete his degree. Chief Charles Tackett served from August 6, 1973 to November 1, 2005 as Director of Public Safety at Sam Houston State University. Chief Tackett as Past President of Huntsville Rotary Club 1982-83, was presented the Paul Harris Fellow and Medal. On November 3, 2000 he was honored by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System with a 10”x16” Resolution for his Fifty Years as a Texas Peace Officer. Also he was honored by The State of Texas House of Representatives, House Bill No. 590 on March 29, 2001 and The Senate of The State of Texas, Senate Resolution No. 459 for Fifty Years as a Texas Peace Officer. Chief Tackett received personal letters from former President George H. W. Bush, former President George W. Bush, Texas’ Senators, The Honorable Phil Gramm, The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchinson, and Congressman, The Honorable Jim Turner. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Betty; two daughters Charleen Tackett and Cheryl Skidmore; grandson Blake Skidmore and wife Allison; great granddaughter Raegan Skidmore; sister-in-law Patricia Durbin and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Marie Tackett; sister Polly and brother-in-law Ray Chiorgno. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday October 11, 2014 at First Baptist Church, 1229 Avenue J in Huntsville, Texas. Masonic honors will be given by Forrest Lodge No. 19 A.F. and A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Chief Charles Tackett, SHSU Office of University Advancement, Box 2537, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2537. Memorial condolences may be made to the family online at www.shmfh.com.

Chief Charles William Tackett

June 11, 1928 - September 23, 2014