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Obituary for Ted Taft
It was a story filled with daring, romance, humor, love and family blessings, but the adventure that was the life of Ted Osborne Taft, 84, ended suddenly on September 2, 2019, in Vacaville, CA. He was surrounded by loving family, including his wife of 62 years, Myrna Jean Taft. Ted was an educator, artist, musician, pilot, husband, father, Arizona sports fan, and adventurer who never heard a pun he didn’t like and wouldn’t rest until he could solve any problem presented. He loved singing and playing many instruments (his choir once sang for President Harry Truman) and was a ham radio operator (WA7WBM). He overcame numerous obstacles throughout his life, including suffering scarlet fever as a youngster that left him with facial paralysis and a loss of hearing in one ear. He loved and served the Lord and was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church.
Ted was born on November 17, 1934, in Dillon, MT, to Keith Gustin and Laura-Jane Seidensticker, but his parents divorced while Ted was young. His mother remarried Alfred W. Taft when Ted was 5. Ted adopted the name of Taft in honor of his stepfather. Ted began college at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and later received his teaching degree from the University of Montana Western. He taught a variety of subjects for elementary and junior high students before moving into administration, ending his career in education as the principal at Coolidge Jr. High in 1979 before opening a bicycle shop in Tarzana, CA. Above all else, Ted and Myrna shared a profound love that was an inspiration to others. He also is survived by his four children, Karalee Norris (Tom), Kimberly Ovitt (Brian Johnson), Kelly Taft (Dave McPherson), and Kristen Calciano (Nick), as well as 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, and numerous beloved nephews and nieces. Ted is preceded in death by his two siblings, Keith Gustin Taft and Madonna Gail Taft.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the New Hope Christian Fellowship Church, 4910 Allison Pkwy, Vacaville, CA 95688. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in honor of his wife to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
