Gary Lee Taff, born May 7, 1944, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2022, after a 35-year battle with Agent Orange diabetes. He was a proud army veteran of the Vietnam War, so it is fitting that he passed on Memorial Day.
Gary was born in Tampa, Florida, where his dad was stationed during World War II.
After the war, his family moved to Belleville, building a house in the Bechtold subdivision next door to his mother’s parents. Gary often spoke of an idyllic childhood. He recalled the neighborhood children ice skating on a nearby pond. The boys and their fathers built soap box derby vehicles to race up and down the neighborhood streets. His father, who worked in audio visual, had access to movies and cartoons. His parents hosted summer movie nights for the kids by hanging a sheet on the garage wall and setting up their projector. His mom served Koolaid and popcorn. Those neighborhood children became Gary’s lifelong friends.
Gary graduated from BTHS in 1962. He attended Belleville Area College and transferred to SIU-Carbondale, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master of Science Degree in Health Education in 1967.
Gary excelled in playing tennis on the tennis courts at BTHSW and on the basketball team at Signal Hill Lutheran Church. He loved yard work and gardening.
Gary’s love of the American flag began in childhood when he assisted his grandfather each holiday in raising the flag in the front yard. During the Vietnam War, Gary decided to follow the examples of his grandfather, a WWI vet, and father, a WWII vet, by volunteering to serve in the US Army. He spent time in Vietnam (1970-1971). He served with the Eleventh Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Upon his return, Gary worked in Human Resources, Audio-Visual and Media at Memorial Hospital, Belleville. Later, he was employed in the Marketing Dept. at Boatman’s Bank (now Bank of America) in downtown St. Louis.
Gary loved his family and was an indulgent uncle, buying the largest stuffed animals or the noisiest toys for his nieces.
But by 1987, Gary fell victim to Agent Orange diabetes, an ailment common among Vietnam vets. A brittle diabetic, he struggled for decades with this terrible illness.
Even so, Gary was a busy volunteer at his church. He assisted with building maintenance and yardwork for the facility. He was always there to help set up/take down for the many activities. He arranged the Nativity Scene on the front lawn.
Gary was a much-loved brother, brother-in-law, uncle and great-uncle who will be deeply missed. Family gatherings will never be the same.
Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ben and Louise (nee Wehmeier) Taff, John and Clara (nee Schmalensee) Miller, and parents Roland and Marion (nee Miller) Taff.
Gary is survived by his brother, Greg. L. Taff (Linda); nieces Sarah Humes (Eric) and Meghan Taff (Michael Clarke); great-nieces Claire Humes, Emilie Humes, Elise Humes and Chloe Humes; cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held at Valhalla Funeral Home 3412 Frank Scott Pkwy West, Belleville IL 62223 on Monday, June 6, 2022, from 9:30 am – 11 am, with a service following. Interment will be held at Valhalla Gardens of Memory on Friday, June 24, 2022 at 11 am with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Signal Hill Lutheran Church, 8100 West Main St., Belleville IL 62223, or to the American Diabetes Association.
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