Douglas Eugene Taiani

Douglas Eugene Taiani was born January 14, 1950, in Little Rock, AR to Geneva Anne and Eugene Cooper. He passed on November 29, 2025, in hospice care at Pine Meadows Care Home, Bolivar, TN with his spouse of 52+ years, Betsie and his daughter Angela by his side.

Douglas is survived by his spouse, Betsie Taiani, Arlington, TN, his daughters Angela Brunson/David, Arlington, TN, Starr Taiani, Ashland, OH, Zoe Taiani, Memphis, TN, son Matthew Taiani, Arlington, TN, and grandsons, Samuel Brunson, Benjamin Brunson(deceased) and Joshua Brunson, Arlington, TN. He is also survived by his father Anthony Taiani/Alberta, Cocoa Beach, Fl, sister Patrice Riels/Jeff, San Angelo, TX, niece Christine/Bennie Timms, San Angelo, TX, great niece Leah Moreno and great nephew Bradley Fisher, San Angelo, TX.

Douglas was an Air Force “brat” and graduated from high school in Okinawa. He was drafted into the Army in 1970, taking basic training at Ft Leonard Wood, MO.

He served his country in Chu Lai, Vietnam from 1970 through 1971 as a 26th Company Combat Engineer, American Division. His job was sweeping mines and received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star during his tour of duties. After coming back to the states, he served a short time in the National Guard in Arkansas. After marrying in 1973 he rejoined the Army at Ft Hood, TX where two of his daughters were born. He served as a Computer Machine Operator.

He moved his family to Memphis, TN and joined the Army Reserves back to a Combat Engineer unit serving time in El Salvador helping build a school and building a bridge in Honduras. During this time, he had a son and another daughter. He was transferred to a Transportation Unit at NAS, Millington, TN. The Unit was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in Fallujah, Iraq where they transported jet fuel across Iraq. He had a heart attack in Iraq and was flown back to the states. After a short stay at Ft Campbell, KY, he retired in 2006 after 36 years of service. Then he took a job as a security guard at Rhodes College until final retirement in 2016.

Doug was a true soldier, but he also was a son, brother, uncle, husband, father, and grandpa. As a jokester he was loved by all. We as a family loved him and he will be missed,

Visitation will be held on December 15th, 2025, at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer, Memphis, TN from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Graveside service to follow at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Memphis, TN at 2:00 pm.