Eight Bells: Jim Sackett

Jim Sackett, 64, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on November 8, 2024 in Mentor, Ohio. A third-generation sailor, he grew up sailing at Mentor Harbor Yachting Club and was an avid racer, known for his competitive spirit and unwavering determination on the water.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio University before furthering his education with a Master’s Degree in Finance from the University of Houston. His academic and professional journey led him to a distinguished career which began at NASA designing refrigeration systems for the space shuttle program in Houston, TX.

He then moved to Fort Myers, FL to join the family boat building business as chief financial officer. Following that, he and his wife, Becky, moved to Moscow, Russia with NASA, where he worked to deliver a space module to the MIR space station. While there, he also worked for Lockheed Martin and was instrumental in establishing the USA’s program to acquire rocket boost technology for the Atlas III space program.

He took immense pride in his contributions to space exploration, but after 10 years living abroad, Jim and his family settled back to his home town of Mentor, OH where he started his own materials import business. Jim was a skilled handyman always ready to lend a hand and fix anything that needed fixing.

Upon his return, he focused his sailing efforts on their Tarten Ten, Cracker. They raced the boat for more than 20 years never leaving the dock without a full crew of family onboard. Jim embraced the true Corinthian spirit on the water and in life.

Above all, Jim was a devoted family man. He was a loving husband to Becky Sackett, an inspiring father to Taylor Jane Sackett, and a dedicated brother to Karen Sackett Rampe (Richard Spine) and Steve Sackett (Cynda), Step Brother to Cindy Hamilton (Paul Stanard), Connie Sackett (Tod) and John Sackett. Uncle to Corinne Sackett, Brad Sackett, John Sackett Rampe and Stepson to Carole Sackett.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother Barbara Major and father James Walter Sackett Sr.

Jim will be remembered for his brilliant mind, competitive spirit, and the warmth and generosity he showed to those he loved. Celebration of Life will be held at Mentor Harbor Yachting Club on November 23rd, 2024 from the hours of 2:00pm to 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Mentor Harbor Youth Sailing association (mhysaweb.org).

Source: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/james-sackett-jr-obituary?id=56740785