TAFT, Dr. George Courter, Jr. - Into God's arms this man of character and dignity has passed. His dedication to and love of his family was uncompromising. On his strong spiritual shoulders our families now stand. George Courter Taft, Jr. was born in Ann Arbor on March 29, 1923. He was the son of the late George and Bessie (Lee) Taft. His education at Michigan State University was interrupted by World War II. He served under General George Patton in the Old Hickory Division and returned home with two purple hearts. He wed his college sweetheart, June Parris, in September 1945. God blessed them with 60 years of marriage and four children. He was an exceptional athlete but chose a career in dentistry over an opportunity to play professional baseball. After graduating from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1951, he and June started their family in Flint where he served his patients and community for more than 50 years. The care of his patients was a tremendously fulfilling part of his life and he was always thankful for the oppurtunity to serve them. His first date with June was to attend church and church affiliation continued to be an integral part of their life together. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Central (United) Methodist Church. He and June joined Hope United Methodist Church several years ago. He was a member of the Methodist Church his entire life. Dr. Taft was unselfish in his devotion and generosity to the greater Flint community. For example in the 1960s, seeing the need, he purchased a bus for the Genesee County Association of Retarded Children (now Citizens). George Taft's community leadership contributed to the following organizations: American Dental Society, Michigan Dental Society, Genesee County District Dental Society, Michigan State University and University of Michigan alumni associations, Red Feather and United Way, and West Flint Kiwanis. He enjoyed membership in Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Flint Golf Club, Michigan Audubon Society and the Polar Equator Club. He was a pilot, skier, golfer, fisherman and hunter. He hunted and fished all over the world and held several Boone and Crockett world records. He also loved orchids and was a member of the American Orchid Society and the Michigan Orchid Society. His greenhouse holds hundreds of orchids, several of them prize winners. He leaves his devoted wife, June, who was the most important person in his life. He was profoundly proud of his four children: Attorney Lynne A. Taft-Draper and husband James D. Draper, Ophthalmologist G. Michael and wife Mary Beth Taft, Dentist Steven C. and wife Nancy K. Taft, and Biodynamic Farmer Deborah K. Taft. His grandchildren were a source of great joy: Dr. David and wife Trisha Draper, David M. Taft, Lauren E. Taft, Luke C. Taft, Grant S. Taft (in utero), and great-grandson Holden J. Draper (in utero). He is also survived by sister-in-law Marijean and brother-in-law Richard Chadderdon, and sisters-in-law Ruth A. Lorts and Joanne Parris and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law, L. Fillmore Lorts and George L. Parris. The Taft Family extends special thanks to Dr. James Chambers, Denise Schrand, Deborah Stephenson and the exceptional nurses at McLaren Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 3PM Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Hope United Methodist Church, G-4467 Beecher Rd., Flint, Reverend John G. Park officiating, 810-732-4820. You are invited to bring stories and pictures of George to share. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
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