Richard Dale Taff, 80, passed away on May 24, 2024. Richard “Dick” Taff was born in Harrison County, MO, on December 16, 1943, to Everette “Dale” and Vera Taff.
Dick was married to his bride, Linda Rae Belt, for more than 61 years. Dick and Linda had three children, Richard Ray Taff, Lisa Mechelle Lein and Troy Nathan Taff. Dick and Linda lived in Kearney more than 56 years.
Dick was preceded in death by his son, Rick; and his parents, Dale and Vera Taff.
He leaves behind his wife, Linda Taff; children, Chris and Lisa Lein and Troy and Shelly Taff; grandchildren, Rudy and Ashley Jones, Taylor and Kate Lein, Ethan Taff and Helena Taff; great-grandchildren, Everette and Stella Jones; and one sister, Janice Hoover.
Nothing made him happier than to share his love of Jesus, spend time with his family, working at the farm and maybe tell you a story or two. To know him was to truly love him.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, June 7, 2024 at Community Covenant Church, 1820 S. .Jefferson St., Kearney, MO. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 8, 2024, also at the church. The family suggest memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.
Our Sincere Condolences
Dick was one of my heroes when I was still living in Kearney as a young man. Always a fun guy to be around especially riding dirtbikes and camping at Chadwick with family and friends. The strength and dignity and examples of faith that Dick and Linda displayed when Ricky was taken from their lives so quickly and unexpectedly would prove to help many parents that had the same misfortune to join that club, including my wife Lesa and I when we lost our James in 2003.
Linda, please know that you are in my prayers. Heaven gets sweeter every day.
Terry Haley
The Keene family deeply loved Dick Taff and we love Linda and the family as well.
Every single day of knowing Dick, from the first day that we met to the present, as completely and totally blessed.
Dick was unique, fun loving, kind, caring, tenacious, loyal and loving.
He was just flat out Amazing and Wonderful.
He will be missed every single day of all of the rest of our lives, but he will never leave us because his memory is so strong in all of us.
God bless you Dick and rest in peace in Rick and Jesus’s arms.
God bless the family and give them the strength to endure this hard time.
We love you guys very much.
Nicki and Gary Keene
Troy
Although I never met your father, I can tell by the way he raised you what kind of a man he was. I am truly sorry for your loss. We have talked about this day for many years and now Heaven just got one of the best in your Father.
Pete Kelly
Linda, you and your love made such an impact on my young Christian life. You live the life, I love you friend and am thinking of you.
Janet Brennan
Linda, Lisa & Troy,
Lorie and I met Dick and Linda through our family. We knew immediately how much we enjoyed his Character, laughter, stories and most importantly our mutual love for Christ.
We lived miles apart but thought of you and that smile often.
Your loved ones know your pain and suffering are no more. Rest well my friend and I look forward to that moment when we see you again where there will be no goodbyes.
Brian & Lorie Carrel
Linda, I have never met at man with a more positive attitude.
He never failed to have a story ready to tell. I feel he and Ray are keeping God’s attention at this point. May God be with you in the lonely moments ahead!
Marilyn Dunn
Linda, you and your family are in my prayers every night. Dick was one of the best friends I have ever had, and he will be missed every single day. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and he loved his family dearly. Dick was also a wonderful disciple of Jesus Christ and he so enjoyed helping those in need, not for personal gain, but out of love and respect. Dick’s faith in God, along with his compassion and empathy for others, had a profound impact on my life. Dick was simply the best of the best and he is now doing God’s work in the hereafter.
David W Major
Linda, Troy, Lisa, and the rest of the wonderful Taff family. We are so sorry for your loss. Dick was such a great man who brought a sense of love with him wherever he went. We have so many wonderful memories of him just doing what he did so perfectly, making everyone feel loved and welcomed. Thank you for sharing him with us. We love you all and know we’ll all be together when its time.
The Ward Family
Linda, Lisa, and Troy,
The inner strength of Dick always found a way to keep him going. In spite of many medical setbacks, Dick always seemed to remain on his feet, and to come back for anther challenging day. We watched him take on one health battle after another. The medical health burdens thrown at him never seemed to be overwhelming. However, I strongly suspect that he silently hid many of his bad days from all of us. It has always been my assessment that he was “one tough cookie.”
Recalling many of my memories about Dick, that covered more than 63 years, will now give me comfort in having been fortunate enough to share some special times with him. I’m so glad that our paths crossed in High School. He will be missed.
Jerry Witt
