Edward Tackett

Edward Otho Tackett, Jr. was born on Wednesday, August 22, 1945, in Patuxent River, Maryland, the son of Otho and Ruth (Black) Tackett, Sr. He passed from this life on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was 79 years of age. Ed graduated as valedictorian from Havana High School in Havana, Arkansas, in 1963. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas and later completed a master’s degree in School Administration from Southern Nazarene University. On April 18, 1964, Ed married the love of his life, Mary Lanelle Hood. His second great love was music. Though he began his career teaching high school choir, Ed spent the majority of his 39 years at Union Public Schools as the Director of Fine Arts. Under his leadership, the program grew to serve more than 10,000 students across the district. After retiring from Union, he continued to champion music education by helping grow the Tulsa Symphony’s educational outreach program for the next decade. In addition to education, Ed also served as choir director at Broken Arrow Assembly and Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church. His passion for choir music never waned… not even during retirement. His final choir rehearsals and performances were held between rounds of chemotherapy. Even during his time at M.D. Anderson, Ed found a piano in the hospital lobby and played for fellow patients and their families. A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 14, at The Assembly at Broken Arrow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Ed’s honor to the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra Educational Outreach. Ed is survived by: Wife Lanelle Tackett – Broken Arrow, OK Children Chuck (Ann) Tackett – Haslet, TX Stephen Tackett – Broken Arrow, OK David (Allison) Tackett – Broken Arrow, OK Shelly (Darcy) Veer – Haslet, TX Grandchildren Josh (Casey) Tackett – Broken Arrow, OK Chas Tackett – Broken Arrow, OK Ben Miner – Tulsa, OK Rachel (Ben) Miller – [City], CA Alexandra (Joe) Vincent – Oklahoma City, OK James Tackett – Broken Arrow, OK Chloe Tackett – Broken Arrow, OK Kaylee Veer – Haslet, TX Sophie Veer – Haslet, TX Zack Veer – Haslet, TX Cooper Tackett – Broken Arrow, OK Great-Grandchild Cameron Tackett – Broken Arrow, OK Siblings John (Deborah) Tackett – Arkadelphia, AR Rebekah (Robert) Hill – Spiro, OK Judy (Dennis) Anglen – Farmington, AR Karen (Chuck) Miller – Kansas City, MO He was preceded in death by his parents, Otho and Ruth Tackett.

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Edward Tackett

August 22, 1945 - June 28, 2025