Henry Leonard Tackwell, 88, of Vero Beach, passed away on Aug. 17, 2014.
He is survived by his only daughter, Kyle Lynn Tackwell Ball, and his son-in-law Chuck Ball whom he loved as a son; grandson Joshua Edward Ball (Liz); granddaughter Tracy Oliver Ball; and his great- granddaughters, Peyton Laurel and Lillian Elizabeth Ball.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Addie Rhodes Tackwell and William “Bert” Tackwell.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Peggy, who died on Oct. 24, 2006. He is also preceded in death by a sister, Fern, and two brothers, Billy and Charles. Hank and Peggy lost two children at birth, Tracy and Leslie.
Tackwell was born in Grand Tower, Ill. on Jan. 10, 1926, but grew up in Alton, Ill. He attended Alton High School and was a World War II Veteran, serving as a Ball Turret Gunner in the 8th Air Force, 206th Bomber Group, 368th Squadron.
Based in England, he stayed in Europe for a year after the war ended as an Aerial Photographer surveying war damage.
He attended Shurtleff College (now part of Southern Illinois University) in Alton on the G.I. Bill and was an All-American halfback on the Shurtleff football team. After serving overseas, he married Peggy Sue Oliver of Jackson, Tenn. on Nov. 22, 1946.
He was a Fiscal Manager for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company (based in St. Louis) for his entire professional career. He was transferred to the McDonnell Douglas plant in Titusville, Fla. in 1966, but returned to work in St. Louis for several years as a consultant before retiring, when he and Peggy moved to New Smyrna Beach, Fla. The couple moved to Vero Beach to be closer to family in 2006.
Tackwell was an avid golfer and bridge player. He loved jazz, gin martinis, and the University of Florida Gator football team. He never complained as he coped with heart disease, an aneurysm and finally lung cancer, earning a solid reputation among his family and doctors as an incredibly tough guy.
His best advice to his only daughter, Kyle Lynn Tackwell Ball, always delivered with a finger wag and a wink was, “Nobody likes a smart aleck!”
Tackwell’s family wishes to especially thank the wonderful staff at Somerset House, Oak Harbor, Vero Beach, for their devoted care of him for almost two years, as well as the VNA Hospice nurses who also cared for him in his last weeks of life. They are truly an amazing group of people. No services are planned.
Charitable contributions can be made in Tackwell’s memory to VNA & Hospice Foundation of Treasure Coast online at www.vnatc.com/foundation or by check at 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
