Edmund John Ogilvie Taggart

Lieutenant Colonel Edmund John Ogilvie Taggart, USAF, Retired, passed away July 20, 2025 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born March 11, 1939 in Glasgow, Scotland, son of the late Henry Edmund Taggart & Winifred Mellon O’Donnell Taggart.

Edmund traveled to the US during WWII with his father, who served in the Royal Air Force. They lived in multiple training bases (SC, FL, AL & OK) before returning to Glasgow, Scotland at the war's end. He and his family then immigrated to Montreal, Canada. From there they continued on to the United States, ultimately settling in Spring Lake, NJ. He graduated from St. Rose High School in Belmar, NJ, in 1956, then attended Monmouth College, NJ. He enlisted in the USAF in 1958, attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned 2nd Lt, USAF. He continued his formal education throughout his military career, of 22 years, obtaining a Masters of Business from Western New England College.

During his career with the Air Force, he was appointed to various assignments within Electronics and Communications. He was permanently assigned to Minot (ND), Ironwood (MI), Charlevoix (MI), Biloxi (MS), Cape Romanzof (AK), North East Cape (AK), Plattsburg (NY), Denver (CO), Guam, Ft. Lee (VA), Commander of Ft. Fisher AFS (NC), Hanscom Field (MA), and Joint Special Operations Support Element JSOSE McDill AFB (FL).

After retirement from USAF he worked for AT&T/Lucent Technologies (TX) – retiring in 2000 & moving to Caswell Beach, NC.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Gardner Taggart of 47 years, four daughters Shannon Adams (Gatlin) of Bolivia, NC, Sylvia Taggart of Saipan, CNMI, Madalynn Wolter (Jason) of Pflugerville, TX & Brittany Taggart (Marcus Lithman) of Durham, NC; grandchildren Cosette Taggart, Bryson and Triston Adams, Brynley and Atlas Wolter, and Dillon Lithman. Special affection to surrogate son, John Allen (Kristen and son, Jacob) of Allen, TX. Also survived by sisters May Smyth (FL), Winifred Lauer (CA), and brother Andrew Taggart (MT) along with many nieces and nephews.

He was a devoted father and family man, known for planning the next big project, surprising his loved ones, and creating unforgettable adventures.

A Funeral Mass for Edmund will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The service will be live streamed at https://sacredheartsouthport.org/livestream/

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation https://www.kidney.org/ or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.