Charles Fredrick Taber

January 17, 1932 – July 2, 2016

Charles Fredrick Taber 1932 – 2016 Charles was born January 17, 1932 in Eastlake, Michigan. He was the third son of Lloyd and Edna Taber. He lived with his parents and seven brothers on a farm near Nashville, Michigan until 1946. Then, the family moved to Riverside, California. In 1950, Charles joined the Air Force. He trained to become a clerk-typist. Although he served during the Koren War, he was stationed stateside in Biloxi, Mississippi. Before being discharged from the Air Force in 1953, he took the high school G.E.D. test and passed! Returning to Riverside, Charles started attending Riverside City College. In 1955, he began attending La Sierra College majoring in education and graduating in 1959. Later on, he got his master’s Degree in education from Azusa Pacific University in 1983. Charles first married Norma Miller in 1957. Their daughter, Lillian Mandyne was born in 1958. Charles and Norma divorced in 1965. Much later on, in 1978, he married Donna Smith. Last December they celebrated 37 years of marriage. In 1959, Charles began his career of teaching elementary school. He taught in several school district in California over the years. Also, from 1971 to 1973, he taught in Guam. The majority of his career was spent teaching in the Colton Joint Unified School District from which he retired. All in all, he taught a total of 29 years. Charles was a very friendly person and enjoyed talking with people. In retirement he belonged to some clubs and organizations. He had varied interests and hobbies such as: table tennis, collecting rock, doing lapidary, gardening and traveling. Charles & Donna had a vacation home in North Carolina where they spent their summers. Charles also volunteered with the Citizen Patrol when living in Grand Terrace, California. When residing in Brevard, North Carlina he worked with Habitat for Humanity. After recent hospitalization, Charles passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Donna and his daughter, Lillian Mandyne Champion. He leaves behind two grandchildren: Jessica Veelik and Jeremy Champion. In addition, there are two great grandchildren: Melanie and Merissa Veelik. Also he is survived by his six brothers: Clare, Gerald, Leonard, Dean, Ronald and Gordon Taber. He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest brother, David Taber.