Taft Michial Joseph, Jr.

Taft Joseph, 86, of Overland Park, KS passed away December 7, 2021.

Taft was born to Taft Joseph, Sr. and Nettie Elizabeth Joseph in New Bern, NC. Taft graduated from New Bern High School.  He attended North Carolina State University, Raleigh and Cameron University earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business administration.

He married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Hudson on July 19, 1956, at St Paul’s Catholic Church in New Bern, NC. Taft retired from the United States Army after 32 years of service as a Lt. Colonel. He loved his country, making many sacrifices, doing two tours in Vietnam; the second tour he volunteered requesting his only brother not be drafted. He worked and taught at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and was an instructor at the Command and General Staff College at Leavenworth, KS. He was a highly decorated veteran, honored with a Purple Heart, numerous Bronze Stars, and many other medals during his service career. Taft, with his wife Peggy, lived in many locations throughout the United States and abroad and were blessed with three children. Together, later in life, they owned a real estate company for over 20 years in Lawton, OK. Taft was Broker/General Manager. They earned several multi-million-dollar sales awards during their real estate career. After retirement in 2006, he and Peggy moved to Overland Park, KS to be with their widowed daughter and two grandchildren. His last years were spent at the Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO.

He enjoyed growing beautiful roses, cooking, grilling, golfing, fishing and entertaining. He also did volunteer work and was President of the Optimist Club in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Taft was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Peggy, his siblings, Sylvia Moore and Faye Bergman of New Bern.

Taft is survived by his sisters, Christine Martin of Plano, TX, and Patsy Bayliss (Tommy) of New Bern, NC, his brother Richard Joseph (Karin) of New Bern, NC, his daughters; Joni Williams of Overland Park, KS, Lynne Joseph (Brad) of Tampa, FL, and son, Michial Joseph of Sedona, AZ.  Granddaughters; Rachel Faye Khoury (Patrick) and Elizabeth Williams, Overland Park, KS and six great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held at Church of the Nativity Catholic Church, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, KS from 10:30 - 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 29, 2022, with Funeral Mass and Military honors following.  Inurnment will be 1:00 PM at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, Indoor Mausoleum, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS, where Taft will join his beloved wife, Peggy.

THE FUNERAL MASS WILL BE LIVE STREAMED FROM CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY.  PLEASE JOIN THE FAMILY AT 11:00 am ON JANUARY 29, 2022,

BY CLICKING HERE: kcnativity.org

The family requests donations be made in Taft’s memory to:

Alzheimer's Association

3846 W. 75th St.

Prairie Village, KS  66208