Obituary of Roy Thomas Hackett

Roy Thomas Hackett was born on March 30,1960, into an Air Force family. His mother, Betty Beaty Hackett, a member of the Sumter High class of 1943, was a nurse. His father, Col. Chester B Hackett, served in WWII as a squadron commander in the 8th Air Force, flying combat missions from England, where his son would be born 15 years after the Allied victory. Roy grew up in Florida on Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. He was grace itself on a slalom ski, laying it over and slicing arcs of water into the sky. In his backyard he walked the grass flats and netted crabs. He caught redfish and snook. He was delighted by a heron’s nest, and its fuzzy babies. He raised homing pigeons, releasing and welcoming them when they soared back to their loft. His Mom taught him how to care for his birds when they were sick. His Dad taught him the game of golf. With a handicap of three Roy could outplay everyone he met. At the University of Florida, he earned a degree in agronomy, specializing in turf grasses. He used that knowledge maintaining greens and fairways on golf courses in Florida and South Carolina. Roy was preceded in death by his parents. He will be buried with them. He was our brother, and the gentlest of us all. A graveside service will be held at 11AM on March 30, 2023, at Evergreen Memorial Park, Sumter, South Carolina. Online condolences may be made at www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.