Thomas Richard Hackett

Thomas Richard Hackett, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the age of 83.

Tom was born on October 4, 1942 in Trinidad, CO, the son of the late Bennet Francis Hackett and Evelyn Margaret (Richardson) Hackett. He was the oldest of five children and is predeceased by his brothers Donald, David and James Hackett. He is survived by his sister Catherine (Hackett) Martinez, his wife Viki (Clark) Hackett, his four children; Timothy Hackett, Kimberly (Rob) Szemborski, Valerie Hackett, Suzanne Hackett; his 16 grandchildren: Andrew, James, Thomas, Elizabeth, Abigail, Brother Jude (David), Cameron, Joseph, Sister Mary Mechtilde (Bernadette), Nicholas, Dominic, Olivia, Benedict, Timothy, Genevieve, and Bridget; and also his 6 great children.

After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico, he was then commissioned into the US Navy and served as a Seabee during the Vietnam War mostly on Midway Island. He was eventually stationed in San Diego, CA as a civil engineer where he met his bride Viki Hackett. They were married in 1970 at Naval Station San Diego in a Catholic ceremony.

In 1970 transitioned to the Navy Reserve as he began his career in the Telecommunications industry working for Pacific Bell for approximately 24 years. For 4 more years he continued working as a consultant for AT&T until his retirement in 1998. At this time he and Viki moved to Colorado Springs where they were very active in the pro-life movement for many years and volunteered heavily in their Traditional Catholic church. He also worked part time for a local hardware store where he was beloved as a mentor/advisor in the community on many different areas of construction and maintenance. Along with his son and family, he designed and constructed (with the help of subcontractors as well), his custom home in the mountains near Colorado Springs.

Tom’s hobbies included taking his family hiking in the local deserts and mountains of southern California and rebuilding/maintaining cars. He loved taking his family on summer roadtrips across the country to visit friends and family. He took pride in all of his grandchildren and was a patient and dedicated son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In 2016 Tom & Viki moved to St Marys, KS to be near family and more importantly to practice their Traditional Catholic Faith in a larger Catholic community. Tom attended daily Mass as often as possible until the end.

He will be remembered as a reverent, honest, patient, kind, quiet and quick witted man with a dry sense of humor. His legacy will live on through the faith and virtues he instilled in his family and anyone who met him.

A rosary for the repose of Thomas' soul will be recited at 5:20 PM on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the Immaculata, 701 N. 2nd St. in St. Marys. A Requiem Mass will be offered at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 10, also at The Immaculata, with burial following in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.