Ronald "Ron" Dale Sackett

Ronald Dale Sackett (Ron) passed away peacefully at his home in Jackson, TN, with his loved ones by his side on June 17th 2026.

Ron was born to Joyce Martin Sackett and Hiram Sackett on October 29th, 1947, in Portland, Oregon.  After graduating high school, Ron enlisted in the US Army during the height of the Vietnam War in 1964, where he served in the 82nd Airborne and then as a combat medic treating wounded soldiers in the field. 

Ron was honorably discharged on November 15th, 1970, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Medal Badge, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, his Parachute Badge, Two Overseas Service Bars, and was awarded the Expert Marksman M-14 Rifle Medal.

Ron never liked to talk about his service in Vietnam with others, but he would talk to other veterans about their service and the roles that they served in during the conflict.  You hardly ever saw him without his Vietnam Veteran hat; he earned it, and he wore it proudly.  

Upon discharge from the Army, Ron was a “lumberjack” in the woods of Washington State and Alaska, where he found a lifelong love affair with wood, and his workshops and garages were filled with all types of wood species that he made intricate carvings out of.  He would piddle and tinker out there for hours, just carving away, listening to the sounds of nature.  He was self-taught in so many things, including carpentry, machine work, and landscaping.  A talented guy who enjoyed life to the fullest and enjoyed a good laugh or joke. He loved to travel to Arizona, where he and Joyce kept a snowbird home for many years.  He came to love Chincoteague Island and enjoyed spending time there just “chilling out,” as he said. 

Besides his parents, Ron was predeceased by his siblings: Jim, Bonnie, Donnie, and Bob.

Ron is survived by his wife, Joyce Bowden-Sackett of Jackson, TN (formally of Chincoteague Island, VA); his son, Kerby Sackett and his wife, Barb of Aberdeen, WA; his grandsons, Sean and Steven Sackett of Aberdeen, WA; sister Connie Sackett of Washington State; his step-daughter, Denise Bowden of Chincoteague Island, Va; his neighbor and friend, Glynda Smith who he affectionally called “It” and his faithful fur baby, Jackson (Jack). 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to woundedwarriorproject.org

An organization that helps wounded US Military personnel and their families.

A memorial service will take place at Salyer Funeral Home on Chincoteague Island, VA

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