Antone (Tony) (Buddy) E. Hackett, 67, of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away suddenly on August 15 in Leadville, Colorado, while vacationing in a place he truly loved.
Tony was born on September 8, 1950, Pomona, Kansas, to Milton E. and Kathryn (Rita) Hackett. After graduating from Pomona High School in 1968, Tony went to work at Kansas Color Press in Lawrence, Kansas, where he met first wife Patricia Hess. Tony enlisted in the USAF on October 30, 1970, where he was stateside working as a layout person in printing and publishing, mostly stationed in Michigan & Wichita Falls. First daughter, Heather Lynn Hackett, was born on June 5, 1971, while Tony was in basic training. He was honorably discharged from Sheppard AFB in Texas on April 15, 1974.
After being discharged from the service, Tony & family returned to Lawrence, Kansas, where he continued to work in the printing business. Second daughter, Sherri Lou, was born on January 3, 1976. The family moved to Baldwin City in 1978. Tony continued in the printing trade until his retirement in 2010. Tony worked part time at Carquest in Lawrence, Kansas, until his death. Mr. Hackett loved watching Jayhawk basketball, the KC Royals, and the Denver Broncos. He was an avid hunter and gardener in his spare time. The crops he produced from his immaculate garden was the talk of the county and what a pleasure to be treated to a jar of his pickled okra. Tony loved to ride 2-wheel bikes and camp. He even drove a Ponystock race car at Thunderhill in the early 2000’s. Tony was a long-time member of the Baldwin City American Legion, 40 & 8, and the Kaw Valley Studebaker club.
Mr. Hackett is survived by his current wife, Connie Lindell Hackett, Baldwin City and dog Brody; two daughters, Heather Lynn Hackett, Edwardsville; Sherri Lou McDonald (Michael), Kansas City, Kansas; one brother, Ed Hackett (Margie), Lawrence; three sisters, Kay Whitman (Merle), Lawrence; Beth Marsh (David), Waverly; and Mary Whipple (Larry), Eureka, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Jeffery Rawleigh, Kody Rawleigh, Autumn Rawleigh, Michele Rawleigh, Ethan McDonald, Matthew McDonald, and Isaac McDonald; plus many special cousins, nephews, and had an abundance of close friends from coast to coast.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 am at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in his name to the Lawrence Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice, and may be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com
