John Tagett Obituary

Tagett, Dr. John P.
Dr. John Paul Tagett, age 90 of Delton, passed away on May 2, 2024. John was born on August 17, 1933 in Batavia, NY to Harry and Marion (Combs) Tagett. He graduated from Ashtabula High School in Ohio where he was the star center for the basketball team. He then went on to graduate from DePauw University in Indiana in 1955. He earned his Masters at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland in 1957, and his MD at the University of Rochester in New York. On January 4, 1958, John married his dear wife, Barbara. Together they spent 41 years until her passing in 1999. After becoming a doctor, he completed his internship at Detroit Receiving Hospital and then went on to practice general surgery at Lynn Hospital in Lincoln Park, MI for about 20 years. In 1985, John moved his family to West Michigan and started working at the Grand Rapids Industrial Clinic. After working there for seven years, John and Barbara moved to Mason City, IA for five years. After John's retirement, they moved back to West Michigan and settled in Plainwell. In his free time, John enjoyed watching college football and basketball, travelling, and photography. He was interested in nature, whether it was growing wildflowers, bird watching, cultivating bonsai trees, creating wood sculptures, or fishing. John is survived by his significant other of over 20 years, Lucy Bryant; children: Matthew G. (Mary Williams) Tagett, Rebecca L. Tagett, Michael J. (Jenny Yi) Tagett; daughter-in-law, Janet Garrity Tagett; grandchildren: Christina (Emily) Leach-Tagett, John (Chelsea) Tagett, Jennifer (Jimmy) Meilinger, Steven Tagett, Raoul (Kirsten) Martin, Barbara Tagett; 3 great-grandchildren; brother: Richard H. Tagett. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; son, Dr. Mark G. Tagett. Relatives and friends may meet with John's family on Saturday, May 11 from 10 to 11 AM at the Williams-Gores Funeral Home where a funeral service will take place at 11 AM. Burial will be at Cressey Cemetery next to Barbara. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nature Conservancy, 101 East Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Lansing, MI 48906. Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for John's family.