This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

OBITUARY for Mr. James Brewer Taft, of Atlanta, GA

James Brewer Taft was born March 28, 1932 in Walker County, Alabama. His parents were Velva Lee and Edward Taft. James was the oldest of six children. He was a graduate of Thompson High School, class of 1951. He married JoAnn Morgan in 1950, and also became the father of his only daughter, Rachel Ann, the following year. James moved his young family to Memphis, Tennessee in 1952. There he began working for Southern Railroad. Having an entrepreneurial spirit, he moved on to become self-employed, opening Taft Automotive Service in 1954. It was here that he met Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, two of the many celebrities that would pass through his life. As his business grew and prospered, so did his family. James would become a father to his first son, James Michael in 1958. In 1959, the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where James would establish himself as one of the most respected automotive and transmission mechanics in the city. In addition to owning and operating an auto repair business in Buckhead for over 40 years, he also taught extended education classes in Auto Mechanics for Georgia Tech University. James was a member of the Masonic Order of Chamblee, Georgia, Chapter 444. He later married Rosalind Ragsdale of Dallas, Georgia in 1966. His third son, Mark Shane, was born in 1968, and a fourth son, Wesley Brandon, would be born in 1977. By this time, his family had grown to include two grandchildren, Joanna Lynn and James Aaron Morgan, and he would eventually be blessed with three more grand-daughters: Amy Nicole Taft, Alexis Kaitlin Taft and Elizabeth Breann Morgan. James was a loving husband, father and grandfather, but had an affinity for being on water. He purchased his first boat, the "Gobble Dollar" in 1961. Here he would spend most of his free time with family and friends for many years to come. His love for boating grew from a small Cruiser to his prized houseboats, the "Gobble Dollar II" and later the "Gobble Dollar III". The memories of family and friends will always include, water, sun and fun on Lake Lanier, and his love for this body of water was so strong that it will also serve as his final resting place. For those of you who shared his passion, he will always be with you "on the lake". The family would like to express their appreciation to all who shared love, laughter and friendship with their beloved J.B. Taft.  Condolences can be left for the family at www.GeorgiaFuneralCare.com.  The staff of Georgia Funeral Care & Cremation Services is proud to serve the Taft Family.  678-574-3016

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Brookhaven