Orval Theodore "Ted" Taft

Orval Theodore “Ted” Taft, 101 years, was born Dec. 25, 1917, at Madison, OK, to Frank Styles and Mae Petty Taft. He died Nov 7, 2019 at the Shattuck Nursing Home.

Ted, at 101 years was the longest living member of his family since a grandfather who fought in the Revolutionary War, lived to be 105 years old.

 Ted lived at Madison until 1921 when his family moved two miles south of Darrouzett, TX. Following his father’s death in 1925, the family moved back to the Petty Ranch located six miles north on the 100th meridian, north of Flat Top the mound and marker which divided Indian Territory from No Man’s Land.

Ted started to school in Darrouzett, attended Bluegrass Country School and the Laverne High School.

He loved horses all his life and began riding as a jockey in horse race while in his early teens. He began working as a trainer for his uncle Alfred Petty who was featuring his horses in San Antonio, Texas. Ted spent his working career training Race Horses in California and Arizona.

 Ted returned to Oklahoma in 2011 where he lived in the Shattuck Nursing Home until his death.

The most important event in his life was his Baptism at the Shattuck Assembly of God Church March 4, 2012 by Reverend Larry White.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert, Cecil (Zeke), George (Jim) and Walter Taft; and sisters Verona Sullivan, Lucy Bradford and Beula Nine.

He is buried in Madison Cemetery with his parents, two of his brothers and two of the sisters.

Ted is survived by three nephews, seven nieces and a host of great nieces and nephews, plus friends and other relatives. Also, his minister Reverend Larry and Janet White and special caregivers Debbie Hill and Star Hamaker.