Tribute Wall
Visitation at Funeral Home
Lind Funeral Home, Inc.
805 W. Third Street
Jamestown, New York, United States
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Madisson lit a candle
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
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Reading your book is the most comforting thing ive donr since you've past
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Madisson posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
I remember every year around fathers day making him a card and thanking him for being there for me I know its been a few years but I really miss grate grandpa
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Susan Tackitt lit a candle
Thursday, October 5, 2017
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Connie filled a void in my life after my dad, his shipmate Donald Tackett (itt) passed away 10 years ago today 05 Oct 2007. I wish I had one more chance to tell them both that I love them. RIP Conrad King and dad.
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Susan Tackitt posted a condolence
Thursday, October 5, 2017
SAILORS REUNITED: WORLD WAR II SHIPMATES SHARE MEMORIES AFTER 60 YEARS APART LINDA RUSH THE SOUTHERN Feb 9, 2005
WILLIAMSON COUNTY - Old sailor buddies always have plenty of stories to share. But when they're reunited for the first time in 60 years, there's just no stopping them.
Donald Tackitt and Conrad "Connie" King met Tuesday afternoon at Tackitt's home in rural Marion for the first time since serving together aboard the USS South Dakota during World War II.
There were some hugs, some tears, plenty of photos to share - and of course, the memories.
Their spouses, Betty King and Juanita Tackitt, became instant friends as they exchanged hugs in the Tackitt kitchen. Both spent anxious years conducting courtship by mail while waiting for their young men to return home from the war.
Their reunion came about when Susan Tackitt, one of the Tackitts' three daughters, recently posted her dad's name and address on a Web site devoted to the USS South Dakota and its crews.
Betty King thanked Tackitt for posting her father's name. "We'd looked for years," she said. After the Kings found Don Tackitt's name listed it took just a couple of phone calls, some e-mails between Susan Tackitt and the Kings, and the visit was arranged.
King is a lifelong resident of Ashville, N.Y., while Tackitt "was born and raised in Sesser." But they became good friends in the service and both regretted losing track of each other.
Since locating Tackitt, "Connie's been just like a kid - he's so excited," Betty King said with a grin.
The two former shipmates reminded each other of posing for photos advertising milk, and using the money they earned "to go on liberty." (Soldiers and sailors were pictured with quarts of milk in a campaign echoed in today's celebrity poses with milk mustaches and the "Got milk?" slogan, they said.)
They shared the tale of a shore leave involving coconut wine that was so potent one of their shipmates was unable to walk, even with assistance. The other sailors notified the ship's officers, who sent shore police to carry him back to the South Dakota.
Other stories were terrifying - the constant threat of torpedoes, the dubious honor of being in the lead when their convoy went into battle.
They had their share of close calls.
A typhoon with winds up to 160 mph hit the South China Sea. Adm. William Frederick "Bull" Halsey reasoned that the Japanese couldn't find the U.S. ship on radar as long as it was in the midst of the storm, so the ship rode the typhoon for days. The seas were so rough that the huge prop was completely out of the water as the ship would plunge into the deep troughs of the waves, the friends recalled.
Both men were loading ammunition in a compartment of the ship when a container of black powder exploded below them. "You might say we were trapped," Connie said. "The cast iron door (to their compartment) was red-hot." Though most of the sailors were too terrified to move - or to speak - Connie managed to push the valve that poured water down into the explosion site to douse the fire. "Then we got asbestos gloves and went into the corridor. We got the guys who had inhaled smoke and carried them topside."
"Our crew shot down 32 Japanese planes in one day alone," Connie said. The USS South Dakota also was the first ship to fire on the Japanese homeland, Susan said. She's become an avid follower of World War II history and took her children to South Dakota to visit the USS South Dakota memorial there.
The South Dakota was headed for the Japanese mainland to cover what was sure to be a bloody invasion when word came announcing the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan and the Japanese surrender.
Signing of the surrender papers was supposed to have taken place on the USS South Dakota, Susan said. But it was moved to the USS Missouri - not surprising considering President Harry S Truman was from Missouri. "It was pure politics," Susan insisted.
The crewmen didn't know about the politics; they were simply relieved the war had ended.
Japanese propagandist "Tokyo Rose" had aired broadcasts saying the South Dakota had been sunk. Those false reports were devastating to the families at home, the two men recalled.
King said his worst memories from the Navy were the burials at sea. "They'd put the bodies on the fantail," he said. "Then they played taps and tipped the bodies into the water. I still cry whenever I hear taps."
He's written a memoir, "Life of a King," and left a copy of the manuscript with the Tackitts. He brought along plenty of photos of former shipmates, and even a Japanese flag he'd taken from the Japanese battleship Nagado.
The Kings planned to leave today for Florida after spending Tuesday afternoon visiting with the Tackitt family. They owned a home in Florida for 14 years and still vacation there to visit friends, Betty said.
Connie said he knew Betty "my entire life, but we didn't date until I got out of service." The two had written letters, though, while he was overseas.
He was discharged in February 1946, went back to New York and married Betty in June. He's now 80 and she's 81. Married 58 years, they had four sons, one of whom died of cancer about a year ago. The other three took over the heating and air conditioning business Connie started after a brief try at the banking business.
Don Tackitt is 81 and Juanita will turn 75 in May. They were married about a month before he was discharged in November 1945. She was almost a child bride, Juanita acknowledged with a smile. "It's been 60 years since we met each other," she added.
The Tackitts have had their share of health problems. Don has had 13 surgeries on his leg and is also undergoing treatment for a rare form of cancer, angiosarcoma. Juanita is due to have a hip replacement in May. But Don's eyes lit up when Connie described reunions with other veterans from the USS South Dakota. "I'd like to go to one," he said.
Juanita has been recognized by the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Marion for the lap robes and candy she makes as gifts for hospitalized veterans. This year she made 44 stitched lap robes and two crocheted ones, she said.
Don also made a warm lap robe in a yo-yo pattern; it's displayed in the couple's living room. It was a productive way to pass time while he was recuperating from surgery, his daughter said. He also has his radio microphone close at hand, so he can converse with the many "CB buddies" he has made through that hobby.
Don's discharge papers state he was in 15 "major battles." Add to that the near-daily skirmishes and scares, and it's easy to see why those who survived became such close friends.
And now that they've found each other, the Tackitts and the Kings plan to keep in touch.
linda.rush@thesouthern.com 618-529-5454 x15079
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Susan Tackitt uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, October 5, 2017
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Conrad and Donald Tackett (itt) 60 year reunion. RIP Connie and dad. May you both RIP.
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Susan Tackitt uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, October 5, 2017
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Conrad and Donald Tackett (itt) 1945 Shipmates in WWII on Battleship USS South Dakota
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Alvin Wier posted a condolence
Monday, October 2, 2017
I served on the great Sodak with Connie but never knew him on the ship. But he visited Me & some of our Cleveland area shipmate members several years ago & we corresponded by email for a few years & suddenly he stopped answering. I called but line was disconnected so went on Internet & found his Obit & was surprised to find he pased away. I live in Bay Village, Ohio & wanted to see him again but please accept my condolences. I always thought Connie was a great guy after meeting him & talking on the phone & writing emails & wished we had lived closer. God Bless the King family. sincerely, Al & Rosemary Wier
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The family of Conrad R. King uploaded a photo
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
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Please wait
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Joan Savino Hicks posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
I'm pleased to have known Connie King and his wife; my condolences and love to the family...
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Stan Curtis lit a candle
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
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What a privilege it was to have known your Dad during his tenure on the PCS School Board, and down through the years. He was a magnanimous, supportive, positive, and humble person. I am very sorry for your loss.
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Deanna cornish posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
So sorry for your loss! Praying for peace for all of the family!
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Greg and Jan Harle lit a candle
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
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Dave and Alby and family..Sad to hear about your Dad but good to know he is home with your Mom..Really hard to lose our parents as we age ourselves..He was a terrific guy..always spoke..friendly and a pleasure to see. God Bless..Greg and Jan..
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Lori McChesney posted a condolence
Monday, February 22, 2016
Terry and family;
I am so very sorry for your loss. You dad was a very kind and caring person. I pray he's resting in the arms of Jesus.
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Carrie Claypoole posted a condolence
Monday, February 22, 2016
So very sorry for your loss. We are praying for comfort and peace as you walk this road. But also so thankful for the hope we have in Christ of one day being reunited with loved ones in glory.
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Dave & Joyce Narducci lit a candle
Monday, February 22, 2016
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Terry,
We are deeply sorry for your lose. All Our prayers and love go out to you and your family.
Dave & Joyce Narducci
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DONALD LUNDEEN posted a condolence
Monday, February 22, 2016
I have many pleasant memories of Connie and always enjoyed his company. I know he is in a better place today.
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Wayne and Marilyn Seeley posted a condolence
Monday, February 22, 2016
We're so sorry for your loss. May your memories bring you comfort at this time of sorrow.
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Wesley Pearson posted a condolence
Sunday, February 21, 2016
So sorry to hear of the passing of Connie. But also rejoicing that another great worrier of God has made his home with his heavenly Father. I got quite well acquainted him through the Jamestown Camp of Gideons. It was a pleasure to know him and to be in his presence. May God's richest blessings be upon all of his family as you mourn his passing.
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Tom and Suzanne Tonon lit a candle
Sunday, February 21, 2016
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Dear King family - although we met Conrad only a handful of times through Sarah marrying our son Jason, he was always a friendly and gracious man - very welcoming to us. So glad Betty and Conrad got to spend this past Christmas with your whole family - we're sure that meant the world to them.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences for your father and grandfather, a remarkable man.
Tom and Suzanne Tonon
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randy and cindy anderson posted a condolence
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Connie and Betty will surely be missed. They have been wonderful neighbors and friends. I am sure that right now both of them are rejoicing in Heaven giving praise to our Lord and King, Jesus Christ.
About Us
The Lind Family and associates wish to express our deep gratitude for the confidence, friendship and trust you have placed in us. We are honored to be of service to you and pledge to continue to serve to the best of our ability, with professional care and genuine concern each time we are called.
Our Location
Proudly Serving Jamestown, NY and its surrounding communities.
805 West Third Street
Jamestown, New York
14701
Tel: (716) 664-3800
Fax: (716) 664-2568