Terry Lee Taggart, 72 of Hinton, died Friday, November 3, 2017 at a hospital in Sioux Falls with his family by his side.


The family will be present for visitation 4-8 pm on Tuesday, Nov.7th at Country Celebrations, 5606 Hamilton Blvd. in Sioux City. Funeral services, a tribute to his life, will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, also at Country Celebrations. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery with a luncheon to follow. Please dress casual as that is what Terry would have wanted.


Terry Lee Taggart was born on June 27, 1945 in Sioux City, the son of Charlie and Ruby (Willer) Taggart. He was united in marriage to Patricia Jo Kohn on June 25, 1976 at the Maryhill Visitation Church in Rural Cherokee.

Terry helped area funeral homes with their ambulance services. At the age of 19 he become a driver for Soo Ambulance until they closed. He continued driving for Traum Ambulance until the mid 1970’s. Terry was also a member of the Air Force and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

Terry followed his father’s passion of anything with a motor. His racing career began at 16 when he began racing competitively on local go-cart tracks. He graduated to drag racing in the mid ‘60s. In 1970, he advanced to dirt oval tracks, piloting modified stock cars. His career expanded to super modified in the early ‘70s and sprint cars in 1977. He retired from driving in 1981. His success continued as a car owner, teaming up with co-owner Marty Johnson and driver Jerry Richert, Jr. The trio won championships at Huset’s Speedway in 1987 and Jackson, Minn., in 1987 and 1988. Other highlights of his racing career include Car Owner of the Year at Knoxville Speedway, Best-Looking Car at Knoxville Nationals, and induction into the Hall of Fame at Huset’s Speedway. Terry retired from racing in 1991.

Terry was an area self made entrepreneur who owned various businesses throughout his life in Sioux City. As the third generation in the family floral business, Terry & Pat continued running Taggart’s Terry Lee Flower Shop until this past April when they decided to retire from the business after 102 years of serving Siouxland. Terry also owned and operated Taggart’s Camper Sales, Taggart’s Sports Corner, Taggart’s Competition and most recently, Taggart Powersports in Hinton.


Terry is survived by his wife Pat, daughters Kari (David) Weber of Huntington Beach, Ca., Cam (Derek) Kounkel of Hinton, and Samantha (Trent) West of Whiting, Ia. and his grandchildren Lauren, Jackson and Charlee Kounkel and Taver and Paisley West. He is also survived by his canine “Kids”, Spike, Maggie, HEnry, Suzie, ShyeAnne, Sally and Bandit.

Terry is proceeded in death by his parents & the many beloved pets he has owned over the years.

Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.