Joe Halbert Taft, 87, died on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at Holston Valley Medical Center.

Born in Taft, Tennessee, he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s in agriculture and a master’s in forestry. He retired from the Air National Guard after serving for more than 30 years as a navigator on KC-97s and KC-135s and also surviving a plane crash off the coast of Florida in 1960. He retired from Bays Mountain Park after almost three decades as a naturalist and Senior Naturalist. He was involved with Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge for many years, went to local schools to present nature programs, and even spent some time teaching college classes in his retirement years. As an active member of Colonial Heights Christian Church, he taught Sunday school, assisted in the food pantry, served in various capacities with missions committees, served as an elder, and participated in many other activities.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Giles Taft; his parents, Joe D. and Marion Halbert Taft; and his daughter-in-law, Kiley Taft.

Joe is survived by his sons, Marshall Taft and wife Peggy of Blountville, Tennessee, and Tim Taft (widowed) of Melissa, Texas; grandchildren, Kyle Taft and wife, Amy of Gallatin, Missouri, Seth Taft and wife, Becca of Richmond, Virginia, Julia Taft of Kingsport, Tennessee, Caleb Taft and wife, Sonja of Edmond, Oklahoma, Matthew Taft of Melissa, Texas, Jonathan Taft also of Melissa, Texas; four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Judy Morgan and husband Bill; brother-in-law, Ben (Jack) Giles and wife, Harriet; and a number of other beloved family members and friends.

The family received friends on Thursday, Sept. 26 at Colonial Heights Christian Church. The funeral service followed with David Mullins, Lead Minister, officiating.

The graveside service was held on Friday at Hubbard Springs Christian Church Cemetery in Jonesville, Viriginia, officiated by Phil Roberts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following charities: Colonial Heights Christian Church Missions Fund, 105 Meadow Lane, Kingsport TN  37663, Bays Mountain Park, Kingsport TN, and/or Hubbard Springs Christian Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Dianne Smith, 6703 Sugar Run Rd, Jonesville VA 24263.

Visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an online condolence for the family.