Richard Lee "Dick" Tackaberry

Richard Lee “Dick” Tackaberry, of Grass Valley, died Saturday, Feb. 20, in Grass Valley. He lived passionately and died with grace.

He was 85.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Cedar Ridge Baptist Church, 11452 Brunswick Road, Cedar Ridge.

He was born in Los Angeles, on Jan. 9, 1925, to Thomas Howard Tackaberry II and Bessie (Dilliner) Tackaberry.

He married Avon June Adams in 1946.

Mr. Tackaberry served in the U.S. Marine Corps, 2nd Division, from 1942 to 1945 and was involved in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Among other awards, received two Purple Hearts and the Meritorious Conduct Citation directly from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

He worked for the Los Angeles Police Department from 1951 to 1975 and retired as a lieutenant. He was a highly respected officer involved in many important cases, and people in the department still talk about him. He implemented innovative and groundbreaking field procedures that are used to this day.

People knew Mr. Tackaberry to always have a strong sense of right and wrong, and he acted with integrity. He was looked upon as a self-made man. His spot in heaven was decided several years ago when he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. He will be greatly missed by his family and his friends.

Mr. Tackaberry is survived by six children, Avonne Griffin of Greenville, S.C. Antonette Thomas of Rough and Ready, William “Bill” Tackaberry of Granada Hills, Susan Hagler of Roseville, Richard (Kelly) Tackaberry of Temecula, and Michael Tackaberry of Grass Valley; 19 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren; his brother, Ret. Gen. Tom Tackaberry of Falls Church, Va.; and Norah Stevens of Grass Valley.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Avon.