Gene M. Taggart

Winter Haven, FL; Gene M. Taggart, 82, passed away peacefully, Saturday, October 9th, 2010, surrounded by family members, after succumbing to Parkinson's. Gene was born January 6th, 1928 in Ashtabula, Ohio, the son of William D. and Eva Mae Taggart. Gene served in the Korean Conflict, 1950-1952. He met Betty Graham at a dance and they married on November 28th, 1953. He was a Materials Control Manager at Eaton Manufacturing for over 30 years. He obtained a Certificate in Graphic Design from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1966. He designed the Seal of Brook Park, Ohio, in 1967. Upon retirement, he pursued his passion for art and graduated with honors from Kentucky State University in 1984. He was a member of the Lexington Art League, as both an artist and a teacher. He wrote and illustrated a children's story "The Singing Game," and also he illustrated "If I Only Had a Horse" and "Crazy Horse Canyon". Gene was an avid gardener and he enjoyed living on his farm in Mercer County Kentucky from 1971-2008. Gene and his wife, Betty, relocated to Winter Haven, FL; in 2008. An artist and a poet, he will be missed by his wife of 56 years, Betty Taggart, his four children, David W. Taggart (Cleveland, OH), Mark A. Taggart (Greenville, NC), Sandra J. Anderson (Lexington, KY), Cynthia T. Douglas (Winter Haven, FL) and his six grandchildren, Talmadge, Tyler, and Travis Douglas, Benjamin and Jenna Anderson and Karl Taggart. Graveside Services will be held at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL; Friday, Oct. 15th at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave. Auburndale, FL. 33823, or Brandywyne Health Care Center, 1801 N. Lake Mariam Drive, Winter Haven, FL; 33884.