Ralph Murle Tacker

Ralph Murle Tacker was born on September 3, 1928. He resided at 1214 Williamsburg Drive, Nacogdoches, Texas. He entered heaven’s gates on February 26, 2017, surrounded by his wife, Wanda Tacker and his loving family and friends.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Ralph Tacker was the son of Ralph Waldo Tacker and Dora Alice Goodman Tacker. He survived his only older sister, Alice Ivelle Perrone.

Ralph married his beautiful wife Wanda Blakley in 1948. He said he loved her the first minute he saw her. They were sweethearts for 69 years.

Ralph served as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1950-54. He attended the University of Arlington, studying drafting and architecture. Ralph began his great adventure by starting his own construction company in 1956 with Wanda at his side as his accountant. They took a dream and “built” it into a reality. His success in his field was remarkable-he was a top dealer for Armco Steel and built hundreds of schools, churches and commercial buildings.

He retired and began a career as a volunteer missionary with the Southern Baptist Radio-Television Commission. He traveled to China with the Singing Churchmen on one of the first Christian missions to go to Communist China.

Ralph loved Jesus and his family first.

His daughters, Julie Barrier and Kathy Wright were his greatest joy. He was always proud of them and told them so. His encouragement and sacrificial generosity extended to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ralph and Wanda provided the resources for the education of every child and grandchild. The godly couple said, “All we have is the Lord’s anyway.” They meant it.

He was a deacon at his church and befriended every pastor he ever had.

Ralph Tacker was a renaissance man. He loved to fish, hunt and travel. The consummate artist, he painted prolifically and effortlessly. When he lost his right field vision to a debilitating stroke, he took up computer graphic design and pottery. He studied pottery at The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Northlake College University in Irving, Texas and Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He helped construct a pottery kiln for Professor Piero Fenci, Fine Arts Department at Stephen F. Austin.

Poppa, as many family and friends knew him, gave of himself to encourage those around him and point them to Jesus. Despite many serious health crises he always fought the good fight and came back to love and support his family and serve his Lord selflessly. He was a mighty prayer warrior faithfully lifting up those people and needs that were near to his heart. And Poppa's was always ready to fill a need when he saw one. He always considered others more important than himself.

Ralph is survived by Wanda, his adoring wife of 67+ years, his daughter Julie Tacker Barrier of Frisco, Texas, and her husband Roger; his daughter Kathy Tacker Wright of Nacogdoches, Texas, and her husband Bud; grandchildren Brianna Barrier Weatherbee, and her husband Brad; Bronwyn Barrier Muenckler, and her husband Rickey; Steele Wright, IV, Emily Wright Evans, and her husband Josh; Ben Wright, and his wife Jordan; great grandchildren Whit Evans, Jackson and Blakely Wright, and Abigail and Emmeline Weatherbee.

The family is so very grateful to Dr. Carl Davis who faithfully quarterbacked Poppa's healthcare, as well as Dr. Blaize Ferracio, and Dr. Josephine Chua.

The celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, February 28 at 4:00 p.m. Grace Bible Church, 2305 Raguet Street, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75965, with Dr. Roger Barrier officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his honor to Preach It, Teach It, a ministry founded by Roger and Julie Barrier, providing free resources for pastors and missionaries around the world. https://www.preachitteachit.org/about-us/donate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas. Visit www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com to offer memories and condolences.