from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Thurman “Jay Bird” McKinley Tackett, 63, died Nov. 12, 2010, in Marion, Ohio, after a 12 month battle with cancer.

Mr. Tackett was born Oct. 29, 1947, in Jenkins, Ky., to Frank Harvey and Leitha (Ray) Tackett. He was one of 16 children. He married Pamela Jo Tackett in Wise, Va., on Feb. 23, 1970.

He was a horse trainer for 35 years and a member of the USTA. His interests included family, horses, reading, the Cleveland Browns and Kentucky Wildcats.

Mr. Tackett is survived by his wife of 40 years, Pamela Jo; sons, Thurman “Fuzz” Jr., Terry Lee (Julie Ann) and Tony Joe (Joyle Cecilia); grandchildren, Cierra, Terry “TJ” Jason, Lee Ann Sadie and Gabriela Jo; step-grandchildren, Cody Patrick Foy, Caleb James Foy and Tyler Jacob Foy; and brothers and sisters, Dorsey Ann Smallwood, Jack, James “Chum”, Grayson, Selena Sue Gilbert and Mary Nell Frazier. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Billy, Donald Ray and Ulysses Grant; and sisters, Lexie Lee Ambrose and Patricia Lou Phelps.

Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing service on Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 2-6 p.m. at Boyd-Born Funeral Home. Burial will be Thursday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. at Tackett Cemetery in Jenkins, Ky. Polly and Craft Funeral Home in Jenkins will be handling arrangements in Kentucky.