George Taber V

May 15, 1992 -

Aug 9, 2022

Staff Sergeant George Lindley Taber V "Quint," 30, of Glen St. Mary, Fla., died suddenly on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, while attending U.S. Army Ranger School in Dahlonega, Ga. Quint succumbed to injuries received during a weather induced training hold.

Quint was born on May 15, 1992, in Beaufort, S.C. He graduated from Conway High School in Conway, Ark., in 2010. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in chemistry from Hendrix College in Conway, during May 2014. Throughout college he worked summers as a first mate on a charter fishing boat out of Ninilchik, Alaska, and afterward as a kayak eco-tour guide in Marineland, Fla. He loved adventures in the great outdoors. He surfed anywhere he could find a wave and thrived in extreme Alaska mountain hunts. Quint was an exceptionally gifted writer and artist. His sense of humor was dry, vivid and contagious.

Quint entered the Army in March 2017, and completed Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Ga. He completed the Special Forces (SF) Qualification Course in 2018, and continued through the SF pipeline, completing 18D Combat Medical Sergeant Training, Military Freefall Parachutist Course, Spanish Language school, SF Sniper Course and Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course. Quint was assigned to Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 7214, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

Quint's military awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Basic Parachutist Badge and the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge.

Quint, without a doubt, was living out his purpose and had found his brotherhood in the Army Special Forces community. He reveled in challenging and proving himself daily. At the time of his death, he was doing a job he volunteered for with brothers that he respected and trusted. He was serving his team and country, surrounded by others with the same drive, loyalty and standards. These things are the highest accomplishments of a man, whether he be 80 or 30. Quint was truly the "Man in the Arena."

Quint will leave us with many memories, stories and much laughter. He is survived by his mother, Melynda Sheri "Rea" Coker and stepfather Robert "Trey" Coker of Stevensville, Mont.; father, George L. "Tab" Taber IV and stepmother LaNell (Keahey) Taber of Glen St. Mary; sister, Kiplin Taber; and stepbrothers, Geoffrey Fielder, Grant Fielder and Wesley and wife Kayla Fielder. He was so well-loved that he accumulated 11 grandparents, which is no small feat: the late Jerry and the late Linda Rea, George L. "Lin" Taber III and Magi Taber, Anne Taber, Wayne and LaVerne Keahey, Jerrel and Linda Fielder and Lana Coker and the late Bob Coker. He has a multitude of loving aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members who all adore their Quint. He will also be missed by the many friends he touched in the intersecting orbits of his life who we consider family - his military brotherhood, his Hendrix College/Conway community and his Marineland and Alaska families. Our Quint, our man of few words, left quite an enduring legacy. We all look forward to rejoicing one day with him in Gods glory. Until then he lives in our hearts, guides our lives towards resilience and speaks to us on the winds.

Quint's Funeral Service was held on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, followed by burial with full military honors at Jacksonville National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Fla. In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to The Green Beret Foundation at www.greenberetfoundation.org; or Heroes and Horses at www.heroesandhorses.org.

Please visit his Tribute online at www.quinn-shalz.com. Arrangements by Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.