Sgt. Tharon "Bear" Sackett

Newnan, GA - How do you condense the adventures of a life well lived into a handful of words? How do you provide a snapshot of the LOVE that is Tharon...a person larger than life? There's too much to say. In no particular order, we offer a glimpse of this extraordinary soul.

Sgt. Tharon “Bear” Sackett, a phenomenal father, treasured son, and beloved grandson, embodied the spirit of a love warrior. A clandestine foodie and master punster (he effortlessly stole the best ones from his mom and claimed them for his own). The most kind, compassionate, and empathic, best friend you'd ever want to have, Tharon was also an incredible dancer and a devoted member of the "biggest" heart club. On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, he departed this world.

He is survived by his parents, Gary and Cathy Sackett of Newnan, GA; Maternal Grandparents, Mike and Carol Courson of Danville, IL; Uncle and Aunt, Jerry and Kathy Courson of Bismarck, IL; Special Cousins, Alexis (Travis) Denius and Michael (Taylor) Courson. Tharon also leaves behind his 6-year-old son, Maverick, who was the love of his life.

In an alternate life, Tharon would have been a rogue chef hosting secret dinner parties in obscure locations, complete with clever passwords. His passion for cooking, evident in his YouTube feed filled with videos on BBQ, pizza, and perfectly seared steaks, showcased his love for a delicious meal. However, he could just as easily delight in sharing a chip from a can of Pringles or the sourest gummies. Credit for these less-than-organic indulgences goes to Uncle Jerry and Aunt Kathy. Tharon's high school years were flavored with laughter and secret snack raids at their house. He liked thinking that his parents didn't know (they totally knew). Those who knew him knew the dangers of giving him Slim Jims. If you know...you know.

Tharon developed a fondness for southern cooking thanks to Grandma Jackie Sackett's outstanding recipes. Grandpa Ramon Sackett's love for classical music played a significant role in nurturing his love for all things music. He treasured joyful moments spent with aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family.

Tharon cherished sharing stories and meals with his grandparents, Mike and Carol Courson. Their open-door policy allowed him to raid their fridge, share adventures, and enjoy moments of Wheel of Fortune or Murder She Wrote with Grandma. Beyond family, Tharon's heart embraced friendships as his lifeline. A chameleon by nature, he never met a stranger, effortlessly making each person feel uniquely special, genuinely becoming their best friend. His superpower was shining light on others, offering unwavering support. If you needed him he was there. One of his favorite people was his amazing girlfriend, Lauren. Whenever they were together, there was an abundance of dancing and non-stop laughter with Tharoneous D and the Feisty Blueberries. She is now a beloved part of the family. Those precious times brought a world of happiness to him.

His friendships extended far and wide, from high school and military bonds to his new community in Newnan, with Operation Tacklebox being a heartfelt way to give back to his fellow veterans through shared passions like fishing and the outdoors. In Tharon's heart, friends were actually never "friends"...they were family. His pride and joy, son Maverick age 6, was the center of his universe. Their shared laughter, lively dance sessions set to the tune of Marshmallow Penguin, bedtime stories featuring the animated reading of Winky Wonky Donkey with each character's voice brought to life, and the abundance of love were the foundation of their unbreakable bond. Tharon's legacy lives on as he watches Maverick's wild and wonderful life unfold, embraced by his loving mother, Meghan, and stepfather, Drew who wholeheartedly assumes his newly honored role.

Tharon's military service marked a significant chapter, from boot camp in Georgia to deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany, and beyond. He cherished his Army brothers and, after over six years of service, was honorably discharged with multiple awards. Sgt. Sackett valued the brotherhood forged during his service, saving lives both literally and figuratively. The most important part of this time in his life was his new family of brothers. Much loved
and cherished beyond words. An entertainer at heart, Tharon's charisma shone on and off the camera. His expertise with firearms and his love for "all things movies" eventually opened doors for him in the industry. He brought his big personality to special effects, his role as armorer, stuntman and eventually exercised his acting chops. He had a blast and befriended all of those he met both behind and in front of the camera. His warm and generous heart endeared him to
people instantly.

His lifelong passion for the beach was undeniable. With his toes buried in the sand, a fishing pole grasped firmly in one hand, and a Corona in the other (with a heavy sprinkle of salt and a well squeezed lime please), he found pure bliss. The backdrop of Jimmy Buffett's song "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" added the perfect finishing touch to the scene.

His parents, Cat and Gary Sackett, take immense pride in the compassionate and heart-centered man Tharon was. Endowed with keen intuition, his precious traits included boundless compassion, empathy, and kindness towards others. Affectionately known as their Bear, he was cherished as their hearts' most precious gift. They pledge to live their lives wholeheartedly in his honor and carry forward his legacy of love.

A service to celebrate the life of Tharon “Bear” Sackett will be held from 3-7 PM on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Better Days, 8 Hodge St., Tilton, IL. The family asks friends RSVP to coursoncarol8@gmail.com by May 10 if planning to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Love Beyond Bear Foundation, supporting his son, Maverick. https://lovebeyondbear.wixsite.com/love-beyond-bear

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.