Perry Vernon Taft

It is with great sadness and mourning that we announce the loss of our Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Friend as he slipped beyond the veil Tuesday, 9 February 2021 at his home in Downey, Idaho surrounded by family.

He was born 12 December 1931 in Cleveland, Ohio to Burrell Wesley and Nancy (nee Lescher) Taft. He grew up primarily in Berlin Heights, Ohio where he attended elementary through high school. From a very young age, he developed and honed a very strong work ethic. He built apple and orange crates; a gandy dancer for the Nickel-Plate Railroad in Monroeville, Ohio; a Boatswain Mate for the Hannah Shipping Company onboard the coal-steamer Lewis W. Hill; as a Machinist; a Tool-and-Die Manufacturer; as a sub-contractor to the Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio where he collaborated on the design of Apollo 15 Lunar Landing Module; also creating the molds for the widely used fan-rake. In the early, 1990s, Dad wanted to retire and closed and welded the doors shut for Taft Metal Products the last time.

Dad was a proud American and Veteran His military service started in 1946 when he was assigned with the State of Ohio Army-Air Corps. He trained on the aircraft B-17 or the "Flying Fortress" he then transitioned to the United States Air Force. While in the U.S. Air Force he flew a total of 69 missions during the Korean War onboard the aircraft the B-25J also known as the "Billy Mitchell" bomber and the aircraft C-47 the Strato-Jets. His Commander wanted him to stay with the Air Force, but he knew he needed to come home and start his family.

In January, 1954, he left the military service moved home to Ohio. Started hanging out with his buddy Ray until he met Ray's sister, Joan. He and mother started dating and Ray needed to find a new buddy to hang out with! Perry and Joan were married 30 October 1954 and had 67 great years together. Dad and Mom were blessed with two daughters (Pamela and Mary) and a son (Skip). During that time, they became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and after 20 years of marriage they moved to Idaho to be closer to the Church. Dad's callings varied over the years with the Stake presidency in Cleveland; Sunday School President; High Priest Leader; Stake Missionary; and Door Greeter where he was affectionately known as "Grandpa Taft" by many in his home Ward.

In his spare time, he played fiddle with the Idaho Oldtime Fiddlers; besides the fiddle he played the guitar, banjo, and piano; he enjoyed building and repairing anything that came his way; he loved reading; solving Soduko puzzles; woodcarving; space; built a telescope; built and repaired fiddles and violins; thrifting; and most recently finishing up his project of a lifetime: building a 35-foot RV camper trailer. Unfortunately health conditions prevented him from finishing the project. He loved to travel and explore. From family jaunts to Nova Scotia to just he and Mother rolling up their pant legs and wading in the Pacific Ocean. He was absolutely, the MVP for the Boy Scouts of America. His Scouting experience started in 1939 and spanned just over six decades. The recipient of the Silver Beaver Award; AFL-CIO George Meany Scouting Award; Woodbadge; Order of the Arrow; and Duty to God. He attended many Camporees, trail hikes, weekend camping trips, and attended the 1973 National Scout Jamboree.

Perry is survived by his wife Joan Mary; Daughters and their spouses, Pamela and Herbert Knight; Mary and Hugh Suenaga; both of Pocatello, Idaho; and his son, Perry, Jr., of Pocatello, Idaho and 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John and Burrell; sister, Joan Lorraine; and grandson, Richard.

A viewing will be held in his honor from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 West Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, Idaho. Masks will be required for all in attendance.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family under the "Tribute Wall" tab above.