Taft Emil Zachreson
MY ORIGINAL Obituary: {Wednesday March 5th 2024).
In memorial and tribute to our father, Taft Emil Zachreson. Born Feb 4, 1937 in West Hollywood, California. Deceased March 3, 2024. Survived by his four natural born daughters, Sharoldene Zachreson/John Lopez, Valerie Zachreson/David Nield, Barbara Zachreson/Mark Lodsy, Tracy/Raymond Dickinson, granddaughter Brenda Zachreson Hernandez, *deceased* shortly after her beloved grandfather passed (daughter of Valerie Zachreson) -raised by our mother her grandmother Sally Zachreson Heward, and grandfather Taft Emil Zachreson, and loving aunt Tracy Dickinson. Survived by nine granddaughters, three grandsons, sister, Gail/Neil Morse.
Dad was born with a spirited wonder lust attitude. So began his illustrious 30 year military career, from Europe, the far east, south Pacific and many undisclosed locations. Included Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis negotiations, 2 tours in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
He wore his military career as a badge of honor. Dad was highly intelligent and configured complicated mathematical/analytical problems. He was an avid reader of many subjects and topics. He loved the ocean and anything to do with water, an out doors-man, camper, fisherman, horsemen, hunter, scuba diver and sailor of his boat. Dad was also known to be a bit of a party guy, beer in one hand, cigarette in the other. So lets tip our hat to a man who served our country for 30 years, and was proud to be an American. (end of obituary)
Dad’s rosary and service was on March 7, 2024, the funeral was on March 8, 2024, at St Joseph’s Church in Ogden, Utah, his military 21 Gun Salute was at Lindquist Mortuary in Ogden.
When and during the 21 Gun Salute presentation, I walked up to Linda Sandoval Zachreson, whom my father married 10 plus years after his military career ended. I bent down and spoke to Linda directly and asked for the flag that was draped on our father’s casket to be placed in my hands for my mother, Sally (deceased) my three natural born sisters, and my niece, Brenda Zachreson Hernandez. After my brief conversation with Linda, a woman stepped out from the crowd and this woman said “Lady, Lady, no drama here. No drama here. This is family, and they paid for everything”.NO “THEY” My father’s military career paid for it. Our mother (Sally, deceased) my three sisters and my niece, Brenda Zachreson Hernandez (deceased) are the rightful owners of the flag that was placed on our father’s casket.
The importance of this flag is to me, my sisters and niece, during the Vietnam War, our father/mother on several occasion’s took us to the military base and stood at attention with our hands on our hearts as soldiers were being taken off of military aircraft each soldier was saluted by a military entourage. Each soldiers name and state of origin were called out be in body bags, stretchers, wheelchairs, and on crutches. Soldiers that had the ability reached down with a finger, hand, foot or toe, grateful to touch US soil again. One afternoon our father picked me up from school and as we drove to Tripler Army Medical Center (still pink hospital), located in the foothills of Honolulu, Hawaii. Our dad told me we have an “important assignment” today, as we pulled into the parking lot. Our father directed me to place my hand on my heart as we walked into the hospital. Our father saluted all military personnel and requested permission to enter each hospital ward. Our dad instructed me to stand at the foot of each soldier’s bed. Many of them missing arms, legs ,eyes, parts of their faces, burned faces, and thank each soldier for their service and our freedom. I did not understand the meaning and depth of this as a 13 year old teenager, but I did know it was important. Our father shared a profound experience with me on that day at Tripler Army Medical Center. (THANK YOU DAD) I MISS YOU.
Linda Sandoval Zachreson, her daughter Jamie Dorney, son Cornelius Sandoval should stand in shame for excepting/receiving the US flag that was draped over my, 3 sisters, and niece Brenda Zachreson-Hernnandez father’s casket at his funeral and Military 21 gun salute.
Sharoldene Zachreson