Taz Puckett

Taz Puckett, age 90, of Maryville, passed away Monday, October 17 at Williamsburg Villas. He was a faithful Christian and a member of Middlesettlements United Methodist Church. Taz was born in Arkansas, grew up in Oklahoma, and lived in Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina. But East Tennessee was his home for 60 years. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he survived a Japanese suicide bombing of the destroyer he was on, and again served during the Korean War. He was born to be a salesman and entrepreneur. Taz was the owner and operator of Puckett Sales which had bubble gum machines in several counties in East Tennessee and Puckett Family Poultry Farm. He spent his retirement years flea marketing in Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina. He was a member of the Masons. Taz was a church youth leader, Sunday School teacher, Scout leader and a people person, and his activities showed it. Preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, June Puckett. Survived by: son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Kathy Puckett; son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Amy Puckett; grandchildren, Dr. Heather Lollar, Andrea Brewer and husband Mike, Kathryn Barker, Margaret Barker; great grandchildren, Joshua, Gracie, Braiden, and a great grandchild due in April; sister, Carmen Spradlin, Olympia, Washington. Grateful appreciation is extended to the staffs of Asbury Place Assisted Living and Williamsburg Villas Assisted Living, and especially to his special caregiver and friend, Linda Thomas. Celebration of Life Service will be at 7:30 pm, Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at Smith Trinity Chapel with Rev. Ron Fisher and Rev. Michael Brewer officiating. Family and friends will assemble for interment at 11:00 am, Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his granddaughter Andrea’s mission orphanage, www.ReachHaiti.com or a check made out to ReachHaiti Ministries - RIO, P.O. Box 5945, Maryville, TN 37802. Family will receive friends from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Taz Puckett please visit our Sympathy Store.