James Taggart
Alton |
Mr. James Rockwell Taggart, 90, of Mesa, AZ, passed away on August 22, 2024 surrounded by his family.
Jim was born November 19, 1933 in Alton, IL to Luther Mitchell Taggart and Jean Strider Taggart. He grew up in Shipman, IL.
Jim graduated from Shipman High School in 1951. He attended Southern Illinois University and then later finished his degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL where he studied Business Administration.
Jim served in the Air Force 1956 - 1960 as a Weapons Con Systems Mechanic. After that position, Jim completed his Air Force career in a Pilot Training Group.
Jim married Louise Ann Wood from Wanda, IL, on September 2, 1960.
After serving his country, Jim and Louise began a family. He also began his career with McDonald Douglas as a factory line supervisor building military aircraft. After several years, Jim secured a position with AT&T Long Lines. Over the years, the family grew, and so did career opportunities that moved the family around Illinois. The family enjoyed significant relocations within AT&T to Naperville, IL and Birmingham, MI. They settled in Long Valley, NJ where Jim and Louise’s three children graduated high school. Eventually, Jim and Louise moved to Washington, DC for another transfer with AT&T. After 32 years with AT&T, Jim and Louise retired to Scottsdale, AZ in 1997.
During his retirement, Jim worked as a consultant, sharing his knowledge in the telecommunications industry.
Jim is survived by his three children; Ann (and her husband, Scott) Fremd of Sonora, CA, Robert (and Dana) Taggart of Succasunna, NJ, and Constance (and Donald) Erb of Mesa, AZ. He also leaves his five grandchildren; Ian, Joseph, Hannah, Joshua, Madison, and one great granddaughter, Makenna.
Jim is predeceased by his wife, Louise, and his sister Jean Taggart Wood, his brother Luther Mitchell Taggart, and sister-in-law Esther Fife Taggart.
Jim will be interred at a graveside service at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Upper Alton Cemetery, 2090 Oakwood Ave, Alton, IL. Arrangements are by the Anderson Family Funeral Home, Brighton, IL. Rev. Ivon Chappell will officiate.
Anderson Family Funeral Home