Howard J. Tagas

Howard J. Tagas, having just celebrated his 80th birthday on May 2, passed away on May 8, surrounded by the family who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death just six months ago by his wife of 51 years, Betty J. Tagas, with whom he is now reunited. Howard was born in Seattle in 1921 and lived here all of his life, with the exception only of the war years. He lived his early life in the South Park area and attended Cleveland High School, from which he graduated in 1940. He also served in the Civilian Conservation Corps CCC until 1941. At the outbreak of war, Howard volunteered for the Army Air Corps, and was ultimately assigned to the 62nd Troop Carrier Group, 51st T.C. Wing, which operated in the Mediterranean theatre, primarily in North Africa, Sicily, and the Italian mainland. Rising from airplane mechanic to crew chief and finally flight engineer, Howard spent over 900 hours in the air with his squadron's C-47 troop carrier planes. For his service he was awarded the Air Medal. Following the War, Howard took advantage of the G.I. bill to attend the University of Washington, graduating in 1949 with B.A. in Scientific Management. He then embarked on a 40-year career as an industrial salesman, founding in 1965 his own manufacturers' representative agency, H-J Sales Company, which recently celebrated its 36th anniversary. Howard wished to be remembered by his family, business associates, and many friends as a man who loved his country and always appreciated the many opportunities it gave him. In addition to his wife, Howard was preceded in death by his son, Dennis G. Tagas 1978; his brothers Ralph 1922, Alvin 1924, Stafford 1927 and Stanley 1927; and his sister, Arlene 1938. He is survived by his son, Bryan Tagas, and his wife Margo Spellman; by his daughter, Lee Ann Tagas-Rowe and her husband, James Rowe; by his daughters-in-law Bonnie Simpson and Charlene Tagas; by his granddaughter, Kristin Tagas; by his granddaughter Denise Tagas and her husband Tom Larson; by his granddaughter Angela Knight; by his granddaughter Rebecca Dane, her husband Bill Dane, and their children Nicole and Bryce Dane; by his granddaughter Trina Tagas; and by his great-grandchildren, Alexandra Tagas and Madeline Knight. Funeral Service Thursday, May 17, 2001; 10:00AM, Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home Chapel 11111 Aurora Ave N. Seattle. The family requests that remembrances be made to the American Cancer Society, to the Swedish Cancer Institute 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122, or to the charity of your choice.

Betty J. Tagas, born March 3, 1921 in Tacoma; died November 2, 2000 in Seattle. Raised mostly in Hillsboro, OR. Graduated from business college in Yakima and worked as a private secretary prior to marriage. Betty courageously and with grace fought numerous life threatening health problems in the last several years. She was often more concerned about how her illnesses were affecting her loved ones than for herself. She seldom complained and kept her sense of humor to the end. All her life she devoted herself to her family and to her husband in his sales career, especially when he was self-employed.

NOW AND FOREVER

By Lee Ann Tagas-Rowe, his only daughter

I was surprised to learn that both my parent?s wedding rings were engraved with the words ?Now and Forever?. What a beautiful sentiment, they both were buried with their rings intact. So now it is forever.

Upon learning about the impending death of my father, Howard J. Tagas, my brother, Bryan and I, his daughter Lee Ann, began to witness the incredible man we had suspected him to be all along. When he learned from my brother, Bryan, that the aggressive and vicious beast of cancer had returned and the end was just a few days away, he requested we inform his friends and family, so they could say their last good-byes. In the shadow of death, he was still thinking of others!!! What an extraordinary occasion to be able face your demise and be surrounded by the ones you love in your darkest hour. My cousin, Manda expressed how uplifting it was to visit him in the hospital. He did that for us, gave of himself right to the end. It made his passing more bearable. He was an inspiration to us all, my brother, Bryan unofficially nominated Howard to sainthood and my father declined expressing he was no saint.

He and my mother, Betty Jane, were both great role models?they had a loving/giving relationship; tolerant of each other?s differences, they focused on all their common interests. Both were anxious and excited to explore the world through reading, studying and traveling. Later in their middle age they took up folk dancing and had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Europe.

Which was something they never dreamed would be possible considering my fathers? humble beginnings.

In the beginning of their marriage, they were very involved with improving the house and yard. Child rearing was extremely important to them, and my mother and father agreed it was in the best interest of the children, for her to be a ?stay at home mom?. She was a good homemaker, baking delicious desserts, wrapping beautiful presents and tailoring elegant, stylish clothes for her and me. These were some of her many talents. My brother, Bryan, mentioned in his tribute to her just six short months ago, how her love of flowers and music had greatly influenced him. The same holds true for me also, but I would prefer to arrange the flowers, into an artistic bouquet, rather than grow them! My parents had diverse taste in music and so I was exposed to many types of music big band 40?s, musicals, classical, Greek and Balkan folk dancing music and popular music from 40?s on up into the 70?s! My brother Dennis, was a teenager during the 50?s?so rock and roll from this era holds a special place in my heart. I started dancing at a very young age.

Mom and Dad both enjoyed entertaining and threw many dinner parties and New Year?s parties until my mothers? health started to deteriorate. Even after she couldn?t cook, she instructed my father on the fine art of cooking delicious meals for our birthdays and holidays, he was also responsible for the everyday cooking and preparing all her many medications. Thank goodness, he was very organized, because it became a full-time job, being her caregiver for at least a good five years.

My father worked very hard all his life to provide for his wife and family. He wanted a job he could enjoy and be challenged by?it took some tenacity, long hours and just believing in yourself; to build up his private small business as a manufacturing sales representative. His weeklong ?product? demonstration trips, for his territory, eventually led him into California and parts of the East Coast. More often, than not, he worked six days a week and on weekend home-improvement projects. For relaxation, my parents would take long walks through some of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Both parents took their role as parents very seriously, sacrificing time alone together; forfeiting vacations and evening dates to be with us children. My parents were very strict, accused by all their children as ?being the strictest on the block?, but they didn?t expect or demand anything that they themselves were not capable of achieving.

I loved and respected both my parents. Their true devotion and love for one another?the ?in sickness and in health,? part of their marriage vows was epitomized in their marriage. This is truly the end of a love story. My father, Howard John, was so very devoted and dedicated to my mother right until the end. He was lost without his soulmate and I?m sure he was ready to be with her. He was an exceptional person who was compassionate towards humans and animals. His children and grandchildren surrounded him in the end. He had a chance to have some quality time with each of us and we will all treasure our last moments with him. He told us he was proud of each one of us, but I protested and said we were proud of him more. He smiled his little smile and laughed. Parts of some days he was lucid and was able to converse, laugh and joke with his friends. He left us peacefully, quietly with grace and without pain.

The outpouring of respect and love for Howard by friends and family during his last days, in the hospital, was astonishing and overwhelming, it was very comforting to me and my family to know how much influence both my parents had on so many lives. The family wishes to extend many thanks and gratitude for all the support we have received. Everyone made my dads? passing an easier transition. He was a special man with a philosophy most simply said: live life honestly with integrity and eventually good things will happen. He was a good man and I know we will all miss him.

Side note from daughter; I pointed out at the end of the tribute, that what a handsome man my father had been!!! The blk/white picture that is new on this site, my brother had blown up to at least an 11 x 17, it was on a easel up front at a place near his coffin, that all could see and enjoy while we celebrated the lives of both my parents. When the audience was asked to contribute thoughts or memories, Helen Clynch a former neighbor gently reminded me and my brother of the second love of my fathers life?Husky football and what a loyal, avid fan he was!!! Many times he shared a six-pack with his two neighbor buddies in the basement of our old house and cheered up a storm! He also enjoyed pro football but the Seahawks had been a disappointment to him in recent years.

Poem written and read by Alexandra Tagas, great-granddaughter of Howard and Betty Tagas:

HOWARD AND BETTY

Howard and Betty, Betty and Howard

Beautiful couple, Wondrous love that

won't ever die and flies like a dove

Their love never died through the pain of death

Now they are one and

Their love shines like the sun.

Howard and Betty, Betty and Howard

Death had seperated them

But now their souls are one.