Miles Taggart

Miles Leonard Taggart passed away October 23, 2014, at age 85 at his home in Payson, Utah, of natural causes. Miles was born October 14, 1929, in Custer, South Dakota. He was the son of Perry Wallace Taggart and Alice May Marecek. Miles was the fifth of six children. He was raised on a farm and enjoyed being outdoors, riding and breaking horses, and handling the responsibilities of farm life. He was an avid hunter and became a local legend in the black hills of South Dakota. After marrying Virginia Lee Hawley at age 19, he began his career in construction and became a skilled carpenter. He worked his way up to become a general contractor, and built and remodeled many homes over the years. Miles and Virginia had four beautiful children together and eventually settled in Colorado. Miles married his second wife, Verdie Delana Thomas in 1970, and became a step-father to seven more children from her previous marriages, thus bringing their combined total to eleven. By this time, he had entered the real estate business, and began making a living as an agent, and later as a commercial real estate developer. He was a self-made man and consummate entrepreneur, never having had much of a formal education, and always provided well for his family. In addition to his passion for hunting, Miles loved cars, and was always on the lookout for a good buy. There was hardly a year that he didn't find some car he had to have - from classic Studebakers, T-birds and Chevys, to Lincolns, Jaguars and Mercedes. He could fix just about any car problem, and was known for his ability to take a car apart and put it back together with not much more than a screwdriver and a wrench. Eventually his enthusiasm for cars expanded to small airplanes, and he began flying around the Rocky Mountain region, eventually owning two planes that he used both for business and pleasure. After retiring from the real estate business, Miles continued to work managing a used car dealership up until just a year before he passed away. The owner often chided the young men working on the lot, that Miles even at 80-plus years of age could still work circles around them all. And it was true. He was known for his kind and gentle heart, and his generous and compassionate nature. He was always helping others, giving of his time and means to assist those in need, even when he was struggling himself. He taught by actions more than by words, and was an example of the believers. He loved all, and was loved by all, being the kind of person who always made those around him feel important and loved. Nothing was more important to Miles than his family. He made sure that each of his children, and grandchildren always felt loved and cared for, and was always there for them. If there was one thing he would want to be remembered for, it would be that he was the best father and grandfather ever. He cheated death on more than one occasion, having been shot through the neck in a hunting accident at age 34, and struck by lightning, not just once, but twice! Just before his 84th birthday, Miles was struck down by a rare spinal cord stroke, which for most would have proven fatal. But, not for Miles Taggart. Defying the odds once again, Miles struggled back from being completely paralyzed from his chest down, to eventually regaining the ability to walk with assistance. He never gave up, was always optimistic, and kept fighting to the very end. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Hawley Taggart, and his eldest son, Larry Taggart. He is survived by his second wife, Verdie Thomas Taggart, and his three remaining children - Kristine Taggart Jolly, Jay Taggart, and Dianne Taggart Creed, and seven step children - Arthur Cox, Sylvia Tyler, Ellen Story, Stephen Story, Mark Taggart, Daniel Taggart, and Sarah Taggart Smith, as well as 54 grandchildren, and 32 great grandchildren. A viewing will be held for friends, family, and community members on Wednesday, October 29. From 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home. Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home 495 South State Street Orem, Utah 84058 Funeral services will be held at the Payson South Stake Center on Thursday, October 30, 2014, beginning with a viewing at 10:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Payson South Stake Center (LDS Meeting House) 700 South 600 East Payson, UT 84651 Directly following the funeral service, the interment and dedication of the grave will be held at the gravesite at the Payson City Cemetery. Payson City Cemeter 400 North 800 East Payson, UT 84651

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