John Malcolm Tara

John Malcolm Tara was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who passed away peacefully on May 6, 2015 in Sandpoint, ID at the age of 94. John was born in Oakland, CA on February 11, 1921 to John Tarabochia and Margaret E. Crandell. When John was a young child, his greatest dream was to fly airplanes and to experience all of the freedoms the skies had to offer. John was attending college at the University of California Berkeley when WWII broke out on December 7, 1941. He enlisted shortly after in 1942 and completed his flight training in Corpus Christi, TX and at the Marine Air-Infantry School in Quantico, VA in 1943. He was accepted by the Marine Corps and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He was assigned to a Marine Corps Dive Bombing Squadron in the South Pacific from 1943 – 1945. Following the end of the war, John remained in the Marine Corps Active Reserves as a USMC Fighter Pilot from 1946-1963 where he was a Commanding Officer and a Chief Operations Officer. He retired as a Full Colonel in 1973. Our family is very honored and proud of his military career and accomplishments. He was a highly decorated officer and a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society. John returned to USC following the end of the war and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. John continued his love of flying after finishing college, and became a pilot for Western Airlines (now Delta Airlines) from 1949 to 1981. He loved every minute of his career as a pilot. At the time of his passing, John was an active member of Delta Airlines Pioneers, Delta Golden Wings and the Western Airlines Silver Chiefs. He married the love of his life, Lois Coker of Homer, GA on January 26, 1946. They were married for 53 wonderful years. During John’s years with Western Airlines, he and Lois lived in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA for 35 years where they raised their two children, Paul Donald Tara and Anne Tara Carter. During John’s spare time, he coached the Lunada Bay Little League Pirates for 20 years, and had many championship teams during the years he coached. Following his retirement from the airlines, John and Lois resided in Hamilton, MT for 10 years where John owned a ranch. He had a passion for the outdoors and enjoyed taking camping trips with his family. They moved to Sandy, UT in 1994 to be near their daughter and grandchildren. John moved with his daughter and her husband to the Idaho Club in Sandpoint, ID in 2013 where he enjoyed the beauty of Northern Idaho during his later days. John is survived by his daughter, Anne (Rick) Carter of Sandpoint, ID; 3 grandchildren, Jason (Nicole) Tara of Martin, GA, Tara (Nick) Shreeve and Christopher Carter of Salt Lake City, UT; 4 step grandchildren, Sherry Tara, Regina Caudell, Marcia Walker and Gwen Whitehead; 3 great grandsons, Hunter Paul Tara, Liam Nicholas Shreeve and Owen Carter Shreeve; sister, Thelma Tarabochia Gianunzio; brother, Henry Tarabochia; sister in laws, Jessie Westbrooks of Homer, GA and Sonja Baugh of Haines City, FL and his dear friend, Lieselotte Barnes of Salt Lake City, UT. John was preceded in death by his parents, wife (Lois Tara), son (Paul D. Tara) and sister (Mary Delucchi). John is taking his final flight from Sandpoint, ID to Atlanta, GA this week where he will be buried next to his beloved wife in Homer, GA.