Obituary of Paul Jacob Taggart

Paul Jacob Taggart (Paulie, Jake, PJ) was born July 30, 1991 in Leesville, Louisiana. Named after his great grandfather Paul Bierle, who passed away on his due date, he was the immediate love of his mother Chauntel Wright’s life. The first grandchild to Richard and Laurie Wright and nephew of Erica Wright, he entered a world surrounded by the love of his immediate family, great grandparents, many great aunts and uncles and friends. Paul was a character throughout the entirety of his life. He was a quick wit and had a belly laugh that was contagious. His smile was infectious and you knew his presence when he entered a room. Paul was a true loyal friend to all who came into his life: If you met him you had a friend for life. Paul had a large group of “Pierre buddies” who remained close throughout his life. Taking annual trips together, yearly camping and boating vacations in Yankton, and get togethers throughout the year, he considered them more his brothers than friends. Paul attended both Yankton and Pierre public schools. An avid boater, fisherman, and hunter he enjoyed his time in Pierre the most. It was his love of hunting that drew him to gunsmithing school in Prescott Arizona. Paul not only loved designing and repairing guns, but was a historian regarding everything about the make, model, year of creation, and its use and purpose. Hockey was the sport he loved and he was a proud member of the Pierre Capitals team. He had a proud hockey mom who embarrassed him quite often with her zealous cheering! Whenever he had a chance, he attended games in Rapid City and in Sioux City with his mother and Step Father Pete which was always a great time. Paul had a very close bond with his grandmother (Laurie) and grandfather (Richard). More like parents than grandparents, Paul loved to spend time with them at their home at the lake and on the boat dock in the summer. Always a “foodie” with an adventurous palette, he loved to cook at his grandparent’s home with his aunt Chef “Rikka” (Erica). As a family, we had great times around the kitchen island discussing a plethora of topics. Paul and his uncle Mike would stay up for hours discussing the hot topics of the day. Paul enjoyed being the only grandchild until aunt Rikka and Uncle Mike welcomed Oliver Richard into the world. Paul loved him very much and we are saddened Oliver will not have the chance to have Paulie in his life. In February, Paul proposed to the love of this life Mercedes Pearl Preheim. None of us had ever seen him so happy and Chauntel was looking forward to having a daughter-in-law. She will always be a part of our family as she had Paul’s heart. Paul will never know how many lives he touched and how greatly he will be missed. He never believed his spirit was as wonderful as we all experienced. There will forever be a vacant spot in our lives and our hearts which will never be filled. Paul is survived by his fiancé Mercedes Preheim and their pet Chino, his mother Chauntel Wright, Step Father Pete Moore, Step Sister Mikaela Moore, Grandparents Richard and Laurie Wright, Aunt and Uncle Erica and Mike Kostal, cousin Oliver Richard Kostal, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.