Caryl "Tav" Tavener

Caryl C. Tavener Died February 13, 2019 Caryl Cecil Tavener, 96, our devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully February 13, at Grand Traverse Pavilions, surrounded by his loving family. Caryl was born on December 11,1922 in Oakdale, Nebraska to Ernest and Myrtice Tavener. He attended school in Oakdale, and at the young age of 11 in 1934 won a trip to the World’s Fair, due to his ambitious recruiting of new customers for his newspaper route. In high school he lettered in basketball and baseball, also playing the bass horn in the school band. Upon completion of high school, he entered the now Colorado State University at Fort Collins to study forestry. He also was a member of the varsity football team. In the fall of his senior year, Caryl enlisted in the Army Air Force Reserve Program, and in February of 1943 was called to active duty. Following his basic training, pre-flight and twin engine training, he received his wings and was commissioned as a pilot. During a training session at MSU in East Lansing, Caryl, soon to be affectionately called Tav, met his future wife, Martha Jane Bauer, on a blind date. The girl he intended to take out wasn’t available, so Marty took her place! Tav and Marty were married on June 29,1944 at the Wesley University Chapel in Lincoln, Nebraska, when he was home on leave. After living in Lincoln briefly, Tav was sent to Peyote, Texas to begin training to fly a B-17. Marty followed him whenever possible. Tav arrived in England as a co-pilot on a B-17 bomber crew that flew 22 successful missions over Germany until WWII ended, and he came home. Tav and Marty happily settled in Fort Collins at Colorado State, and he graduated with his forestry degree. They moved to Michigan, where he took a job as Leelanau County surveyor. They built their first house on a hill overlooking Omena Bay and another on the Leland River. Tav and Marty raised their three children, Jeannette, Kenneth and Steven in Leelanau County. In 1947, Caryl was hired as a science teacher and coach at Leland Public School, where he remained for 20 years. Positions he held included: science and physical education teacher, athletic director, bus driver, track, baseball, junior varsity and varsity basketball coach, driver education instructor, and principal, most notably, at times all at once! Summers were spent lifeguarding at Nedow’s Bay watching over the children, much to the appreciation and relief of all the local Moms. In Leland he quickly earned his second nickname, simply, Coach. Numerous championships, as well as his 1965 basketball team making it to the state semi-final game, were special times he cherished. One highlight of his career was coaching his own two sons, Ken, a senior, and Steve, a sophomore, on the same varsity basketball team. Always a coach, years later watching his granddaughter play basketball at Central Grade School, the crowd heard his voice boom from over the railing, “What do you mean that basket doesn’t count"? After leaving Leland in 1968 and moving to his beloved Wayne Hill home in Traverse City, Tav taught science at West Junior High, retiring in 1983. Music always played a central role in the Tavener household. Tav and Marty frequently attended student performances at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Blessed with beautiful voices, they sang in church choirs together for over 60 years. After moving to Traverse City, they became members of Central United Methodist Church and began volunteering their time and talents in their church and new community. Tav’s passion included tennis, and he played through 2010, riding his bike along the bay to the Senior Center, racket strapped to his back. Tav always had a dog in his life and by his side. He and Marty took daily walks around Wayne Hill and in Hickory Meadows. Neighbors knew when he was there by his boisterous calls of “Brady, Come!" As his memory diminished, Tav’s loving demeanor and appreciation for the little things in life intensified. He remained steadfast in his love of nature and unconditional devotion and affection for his family. He treated everyone with dignity and respect. Until the very end he would take your arm with both of his and say, “Thank you for your visit. I had a good time.” Tav was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife, Marty, after 65 years of marriage. His brothers, Brainard and Gene and daughter-inlaw, Linda Tavener, also preceded him. Surviving is one brother, Tom (Jean) Tavener. Tav is also survived by Marty’s sisters, Phyllis Garn and Mary Hazelton. Left to cherish his memory are Tav’s beloved children, Jeannette Tavener, Kenneth Tavener (Susan Mays) and Steven (Janie) Tavener. Tav’s precious grandchildren include Kristin (Patrick) Sullivan, Kerry (Greg) Crouse, Andrew Tavener, Robert Tavener, Sally Mays (Christopher Mincher) and Katie (Matthew) Medler. Tav was truly loved and is survived by 15 beautiful great-grandchildren. You are dearly missed, Dad. We know you and Mom are taking long walks together with the dogs. Forever loved…forever in our hearts. We are in deep gratitude and appreciation for the gentle, attentive care, friendship and respect given to our Dad by the caregivers of Dogwood at Grand Traverse Pavilions. A celebration of Caryl’s life will be February 23, 2019,11:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, with visitation one hour before. Pastor Chris Lane will officiate. Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, would be appreciated by Central United Methodist Church for the choir chancel renovation project. The family is being served by Reynolds -Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Kindly share your thoughts and memories with Tav’s family at www.reynoldsjonkhoff.com.

Caryl "Tav" Tavener

December 11, 1922 - February 13, 2019