Kenneth Taratus
Did you know Kenneth? Please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
Kenneth Stanley Taratus, DDS, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2021 after a brief period of declining health and a full and wonderful life. He was born on April 12, 1932 in Jacksonville, Florida to Earl and Genevieve Taratus. He loved his hometown and treasured his friendships that started there.
Ken graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and attended the University of Florida, where he lettered in swimming. He remained a diehard Gator fan for all of his life. He left Florida to attend the Emory University School of Dentistry, where he trained to become an orthodontist. While at Emory, Ken met his wife Leila Thompson. They recently celebrated 64 years of marriage. As the anniversaries accumulated, he commented that they were 45 of the best years of his life. He loved to see people smile and he loved to laugh with you.
After Ken served two years in the US Navy, they decided to make Atlanta their home and he began a long orthodontic career. He loved his patients and their families and the relationships that developed.
Ken never met a stranger and nothing pleased him more than meeting new people or seeing old friends. He loved his community and made great efforts to give of his time to make it a better place. He served as President of the Atlanta Rotary Club, the Piedmont Driving Club and the Emory Alumni Association. He was very active in his church, First Presbyterian Church, where he chaired the Board of Trustees and several capital campaigns, and The Westminster Schools where he was a Trustee Emeritus. He loved his many friends, and thoroughly enjoyed Rotary Mondays and lunch with his golfing buddies at Peachtree. He also found great joy in traveling to new and exotic places.
Above all, Ken loved his family and he showed up at both small and momentous events. And when he arrived, he always had a gift to mark the occasion, that was sure to become a collector's item. He was always there to give comforting advice and a warm hug when needed.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, his brother and his dear, dear daughter, Helen. There is no doubt that he and Helen are off on a spectacular adventure in Heaven buying unnecessary trinkets and souvenirs along the way.
Ken is survived by his wife, Leila, as well as his son, Kenneth S. Taratus, Jr. (Ellen) and his daughter Leila Taratus Evans (Thomas). He is also survived by 8 grandchildren who affectionately knew him as "T" and will miss him greatly. They include K.T. (Bridget), Christopher and Matthew Taratus, Emily O'Connor Madsen (Nick), Jack and Harry O'Connor and Leila and Coleman Evans. He was also recently blessed with a great grandson, William Kenneth Taratus. He spoiled them all rotten and they will all forever treasure the fun times he created. He is also survived by his brother's children Dennis Jr. and Mark Taratus and Amy Neumeyer and his brother in law, Harry Thompson (Eleanor) and their families.
Services will be private but the family plans to have a celebration of his life at a later date. If desired, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1328 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 or to Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.