James graduated from Mary Carroll HS in 1968, then graduated from Del Mar College with an Associates Degree in Machinery and Welding. He served 4 years in the Air Force, starting in 1970, at a Strategic Air Command base in Michigan and in Thailand during the Vietnam War.  He was employed at Corpus Christi Army Depot for 32 years in the Tool and Die Shop and served as Night Shift Supervisor for 9 years.

He started drag racing cars in high school. He built all the motors for his cars, and built many for his friends and family.  When he returned from the military, he raced oval track at CC Speedway, but preferred quarter mile drag racing.  He built many drag cars over the years and loved racing them all over Texas, including a 1971 Camaro Z28.  The last 5 years he has been showing his cars at shows around South Texas. His pride and joy was his 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door Hardtop, with a Blown 427cu-in with a 4 speed. He spent every day working in his garage always eager to learn something new or experiment. He was an active father, coaching t-ball, planning Boy Scout camping trips and even ran the soundboard when his son was in a blues band.

James is preceded in death by his parents; James Edward Tackett Sr. and Dorothy Evitt née Thompson, and his brother Steven Tackett.

James is survived by his wife of 51 years Susan Marie Tackett, his children James Glenn Tackett and wife Amber Tackett of Leander, Texas, his grandchildren Adelyn Sage Tackett and Connor Glenn Tackett, and nephews Phillip Sandlin of Cedar Park, Texas, Joey Tackett of Houston, Texas and Shawn Tackett of Frisco, Texas.