Chester Arthur Taplette, Jr.

Chester A. Taplette Jr. was born December 9, 1932, in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Chester A. Taplette Sr. and Mary Magdeline Taplette.

Chester received his formal education in New Orleans, Louisiana, graduating from Booker T. Washington High School and attending Dillard University before entering the United States Army serving as a Field Artillery Crewman, years later he joined the U.S. Air Force.  While stationed in Texas, Chester married the love of his life, Annie.  Their union produced a daughter Vickie, and son, Chester III.

His duty assignments included Greenland, New York, Arkansas, California, Vietnam, Texas, Germany and Maryland.  Chester served in the military for 24 years, before retiring in 1974, having achieved the rank of Technical Sergeant.  After retiring from the military, Chester worked for the Department of Defense.  As the Chief of Reserves Forces, he managed members of the U.S. Air Force Reserve assigned to the Department of Defense at Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland.  He served 20 years before retiring again in 1996.

Chester remained active, volunteering as a county election judge and temporarily as a Bailiff for the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County.  His varied hobbies included cooking, traveling, fishing, camping, gardening, attending musical performances, and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.  Chester was also an active member of his church Community Baptist and a member of the Embreeda Social Club for over 50 years where he served as President and Vice President.

He is survived by his wife, son, grandchildren, siblings as well as many friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly.