Edgar Wayne Tackett

Wayne was a builder, an engineer, and a teacher in all aspects of his life and to many people. He built a loving family with his wife, Brenda Ann Tackett. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Parisa Joella Dudley (husband, Paul, and son, Foster) and his son, Nason Wayne Tackett (wife, Katie Stallcup), and by siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He built a good life, graduating from Michigan State University in1978, earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He worked for many years at propulsion company Thiokol, both in Logan, Utah, and in Huntsville, Ala., building his career from a starting engineer to upper-level management. In Huntsville, he retired from AAR Corp. as a vice president. Wayne also stepped outside traditional career paths as well. He reentered education in his 50s and earned his Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Alabama. He also built his own business constructing high-quality houses for residents throughout North Alabama. In doing so, he also built a home for his own family in Madison. Wayne took an engineer’s approach to all aspects of his life. Everything he did, he did it the right way – no shortcuts. He was thorough and thoughtful, researching and evaluating each situation before making a decision. But that didn’t mean he avoided risk – he loved motorcycles, riding his Harley-Davidson around town; sailing; and downhill skiing. He also found joy in books of all types, family, Bruce Springsteen music, and both University of Alabama and Michigan State University football. Wayne used his voracious appetite for learning to teach others, as well – sometimes directly, and always by example. He kindly and patiently helped anyone who needed guidance, from family to employees to his children’s friends. Wayne was born Feb. 6, 1950 in Wyandotte, MI, to Edgar and Bobbie Adams Tackett. He was the fourth of six siblings: Kenneth Lane Tackett (wife, Mary Tackett), Loretta Stewart, Elizabeth McFaul (husband, Ivan McFaul), Sheila Stephens (husband, Ian Levstein), and Raymond Tackett. Wayne died peacefully at home, in the arms of his wife and surrounded by loved ones early Friday morning, Aug. 12, after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare, Parkinson’s-like disease. Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, at Legacy Chapel of Madison in Madison, AL (www.legacychapel.com). Afterward, burial will take place at The Good Earth, LLC, in Hazel Green, AL (www.thegoodearthllc.com). In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to help find a cure for MSA and have suggested The MSA Coalition (www.multiplesystematrophy.org).