Charles L. Tait

Charles Leon Tait, 82, of Hahira died Saturday, December 29, 2012 at his home. He was born in Turner County, Georgia on September 15, 1930 to the late Henry M. and Ione Hardy Tait. Mr. Tait graduated from Valdosta High School where he was a member of the Glee Club during his senior year. He studied Agriculture and Retail Management at Valdosta Technical School. Prior to graduation from high school he worked at the Ritz Theatre where he took up tickets. Mr. Tait served in the United States Air Force for twenty six years having served in San Antonio, Texas; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Langley, Virginia; Ft. Walton Beach, Fl; Albany, Georgia; Topeka, Kansas; Valdosta, Georgia; England, Germany, Guam, New Guinea and Vietnam. He served in Vietnam from April 13, 1969 to April 10, 1970, Vietnam Air Offense Campaign Phase III; Vietnam Air Ground Campaign; Vietnam Air Offense Campaign Phase IV; Tet 69 1 Counter Offense Campaign. His decorations and awards included Bronze Star, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Mr. Tait was very proud to be an American and his military service.
After retirement he attended Valdosta Vocational Technical School; employed by Chevron to maintain self serve system and thirteen years with New Covenant Church as Building Custodian. Mr. Tait was a cub scout leader from 2001-2008 and served on the Board of Directors of Moody Federal Credit Union now Southeastern Federal Credit Union. Mr. Tait also served as President of Moral Concerns at New Covenant Church. He was a life member of the Air Force Sargeant Association, the Retired Enlisted Association and National Rifle Association.
Survivors include three daughters and one son in law, Nicola Brown of Hahira, Shirley Burch of Valdosta, Kathy and Doc Clauser of Ft. Walton, Beach, FL, three sons and two daughters in law, John and Anne Tait of Clyattville, Michael and Yolonda Tait of Steamboat Springs, CO, Mitchell Tait of Valdosta, his grandchildren, B.J. Rambo, Michael (Abby) Harrison, Nicholas (Sui Mei) Mazzilla, Jon David Burch, Robert C. Brown, great grandchildren, Noah Harrison, Cameron Rambo and Ashlyn West, two brothers and a sister in law, Harry and Doris Tait of Nashville, Tommy Tait of Jacksonville, FL, special nieces and nephew, Julie Daniels, Suzy Dunmon and Keith Daniels and several other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Peggy Daniels and Erlene T. Ray and two brothers, Henry M. Tait, Jr. and Robert A. Tait.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm, Wednesday, January 2, 2013 in the chapel of Carson McLane Funeral Home officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday at the funeral home from 12pm until service time. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to American's Second Harvest of South Georgia. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602