Joe H. Taft

Joe Taft, 87, died on Monday, September 23, 2024, at Holston Valley Medical Center. Born in Taft, TN, he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s in agriculture and a master’s in forestry. He retired from the Air National Guard after serving for more than 30 years as a navigator on KC-97s and KC-135s and also surviving a plane crash off the coast of Florida in 1960. He retired from Bays Mountain Park after almost 3 decades as a naturalist and Senior Naturalist. He was involved with Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge for many years, went to local schools to present nature programs, and even spent some time teaching college classes in his retirement years. As an active member of Colonial Heights Christian Church, he taught Sunday School, assisted in the food pantry, served in various capacities with missions committees, served as an elder, and participated in many other activities.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Giles Taft; his parents, Joe D. and Marion Halbert Taft; and his daughter-in-law, Kiley Taft.

Joe is survived by his sons, Marshall Taft and wife Peggy of Blountville TN and Tim Taft (widowed) of Melissa TX; grandchildren, Kyle Taft and wife, Amy of Gallatin, MO, Seth Taft and wife, Becca of Richmond VA, Julia Taft of Kingsport TN, Caleb Taft and wife, Sonja of Edmond OK, Matthew Taft of Melissa TX, Jonathan Taft also of Melissa TX; four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Judy Morgan and husband Bill; brother-in-law, Ben (Jack) Giles and wife, Harriet; and a number of other beloved family members and friends.

The family will receive friends from 4-6:00 pm on Thursday, September 26 at Colonial Heights Christian Church. The funeral service will follow at 6:00 pm with David Mullins, Lead Minister, officiating. Live stream will be available for the 6pm Service.

The graveside service will be held on Friday at 10:00 am at Hubbard Springs Christian Church Cemetery in Jonesville, VA officiated by Phil Roberts. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following charities: Colonial Heights Christian Church Missions Fund, 105 Meadow Lane, Kingsport TN 37663, Bays Mountain Park, Kingsport TN, and/or Hubbard Springs Christian Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Dianne Smith, 6703 Sugar Run Rd, Jonesville VA 24263.