From all of the hours spent at his house drinking whiskey and beer after class on Wednesday nights, to car rides, meals, and assisting at local seminars, I can confidently say that Tim Tackett was one of a kind. He taught me more about HOW to teach and think than I can ever explain. When I train a new employee at work, I’m using Tim’s lessons. When I write, I’m trying to write like Tim. Everything I know about martial arts either comes from him, directly or indirectly, or is made easier to understand by having learned from him.
And the very best part was that after dropping gems of knowledge, he’d blurt out something hilariously offensive or deliver a funny insult without missing a beat. He tried to teach a group of us Tai Chi once and within minutes let us know that we mostly sucked and walked away. In contrast, one of the first times he ever saw me teach some ‘combatives’ material, he came over afterward and said “You’ve become a really great teacher.”
Whether he liked what you were doing or thought it was complete garbage, he’d let you know.
He also loved telling stories, talking politics, discussing films and TV, and he ALWAYS had some sort of problem with his computer, wifi, or sharing to his facebook page. I’m going to remember all of it-the compliments, the criticisms, the calls asking for help.
The last time I spoke to him was when he called to say he was diagnosed with lung cancer. His primary concern wasn’t for himself, but for his wife. He consistently made a point of complimenting her when she wasn’t around and telling his friends how lucky he was to have her. D.M. Blue once said the way to make Tim happy was to do something nice for Mrs. Tackett. She was everything to him.
Since leaving California in 2021, one of the things I’ve truly missed is Wednesday nights in the garage and the people who gathered there. Tim had a major impact on my life and on the lives of countless others, so I think it’s fitting to say goodbye with his favorite toast from the Wednesday night afterparty:
“To us and those like us. Too few left.”
Rest in peace Sifu Tackett.
– Mike Blesch
October 2025
Originally posted on facebook.
