Welcome to the memorial page for
Richard Clark Taft
March 27, 1944 ~ January 17, 2018 (age 73) 73 Years OldShare Tribute:
Richard Clark Taft, 73, passed away January 17, 2018 at Bay Medical Sacred Heart Hospital. Mr. Taft was born on March 27, 1944 in Caledonia, Illinois.
Mr. Taft was a United States Navy veteran, serving from 1962 to 1966; VAP-62, Heavy Photo Recon, USS lndependence CVA-62, Rota Spain Naval Air Station. Working for Honeywell, Mr. Taft lived in numerous states and lived overseas working in Heidelberg, Germany. ln 1983 to 1986 Mr. Taft was employed with the US Federal Service (Navy) in Memphis, TN. 1986 to 1990 in Pensacola, Florida (Navy). ln 1990 Mr. Taft came to Tyndall Air Force Base to finish his career, working Homeland Defense, retiring in 2013. Mr. Taft was a world traveler, visiting many places, Ireland, Scotland, Paris, Switzerland, Canada, lceland, Puerto Rico, just to name a few. After retiring, Mr. Taft mastered making salsa, homemade pasta, breads, jellies and jams, pickles, making gourmet meals every night as well as desserts. Adding to many of his talents, Mr. Taft was Master Gardener. He grew his own herbs and has beautiful Bonsi plants. Mr. Taft also had several other hobbies. He enjoyed reading, researching, analysis of any project and the stock market as Mr. Taft loved to learn.
He will be missed by many. He would tell you to enjoy fine meals, fine wines and travel. Mostly, enjoy life, tell your loved one how much you love them every single day and don't forget to kiss them on the forehead.
Mr. Taft is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Lily Taft and brother, Lavern Taft.
Richard is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Gloria and children Clark Taft (Jennifer) of Pensacola, FL., Teresa Vazquez (Frank) of Deltona, Fl.,Vickie Peal (Greg) of Munford, TN. Stacey Bryant (Richard) of Panama City, Chris Eaves (Wendi) of Panama City, Dee Van Ostran (Milton) of Arlington, TN; along with 25 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, his sisters, LaVonne Johnson of Rockford, lllinois and Joyce Wylde of Newport, North Carolina. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Taft had a sincere closeness to his dear friends, Norm and Martha Childs (Panama City, FL.) and Joe Levay(Portland, Or). He leaves behind his former spouse, Suzanne Miller of Rockford, Illinois. His pet dog Roger (unbelievable with a tennis ball) and kitty girl, BB.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 25, 2017 at Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
We surely send thanks to all of the Bay Medical Sacred Heart CVICU staff; Dr. England Maner, and Nunez. Also a very special thank you to Richard’s nurses Brett and Erin who personally accompanied us during the most sacred blessing of ascension, above and beyond any job description or expectation. You will always be in my heart and prayers. “Know that God is good all the time”
Mr. Taft was a United States Navy veteran, serving from 1962 to 1966; VAP-62, Heavy Photo Recon, USS lndependence CVA-62, Rota Spain Naval Air Station. Working for Honeywell, Mr. Taft lived in numerous states and lived overseas working in Heidelberg, Germany. ln 1983 to 1986 Mr. Taft was employed with the US Federal Service (Navy) in Memphis, TN. 1986 to 1990 in Pensacola, Florida (Navy). ln 1990 Mr. Taft came to Tyndall Air Force Base to finish his career, working Homeland Defense, retiring in 2013. Mr. Taft was a world traveler, visiting many places, Ireland, Scotland, Paris, Switzerland, Canada, lceland, Puerto Rico, just to name a few. After retiring, Mr. Taft mastered making salsa, homemade pasta, breads, jellies and jams, pickles, making gourmet meals every night as well as desserts. Adding to many of his talents, Mr. Taft was Master Gardener. He grew his own herbs and has beautiful Bonsi plants. Mr. Taft also had several other hobbies. He enjoyed reading, researching, analysis of any project and the stock market as Mr. Taft loved to learn.
He will be missed by many. He would tell you to enjoy fine meals, fine wines and travel. Mostly, enjoy life, tell your loved one how much you love them every single day and don't forget to kiss them on the forehead.
Mr. Taft is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Lily Taft and brother, Lavern Taft.
Richard is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Gloria and children Clark Taft (Jennifer) of Pensacola, FL., Teresa Vazquez (Frank) of Deltona, Fl.,Vickie Peal (Greg) of Munford, TN. Stacey Bryant (Richard) of Panama City, Chris Eaves (Wendi) of Panama City, Dee Van Ostran (Milton) of Arlington, TN; along with 25 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, his sisters, LaVonne Johnson of Rockford, lllinois and Joyce Wylde of Newport, North Carolina. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Taft had a sincere closeness to his dear friends, Norm and Martha Childs (Panama City, FL.) and Joe Levay(Portland, Or). He leaves behind his former spouse, Suzanne Miller of Rockford, Illinois. His pet dog Roger (unbelievable with a tennis ball) and kitty girl, BB.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 25, 2017 at Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
We surely send thanks to all of the Bay Medical Sacred Heart CVICU staff; Dr. England Maner, and Nunez. Also a very special thank you to Richard’s nurses Brett and Erin who personally accompanied us during the most sacred blessing of ascension, above and beyond any job description or expectation. You will always be in my heart and prayers. “Know that God is good all the time”
A service summary is not available
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