David Alexander Tait

David Alexander Tait, beloved father, husband, son, brother, professor, friend, and devoted member of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in Oklahoma City, died tragically on November 19, 2013, while he was ministering to a community of friends in Chandler, Oklahoma. He was born on March 13, 1951, in Washington, D.C., and was the oldest of five children born to Charles and Katharine Tait. He spent his childhood between the United States and England, as well as Uganda, where his parents were missionaries. He completed high school at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, before earning a bachelor's degree in public relations at Boston University. It was there that he met his future wife, Laura Hubbs Tait, while she was a graduate student. They were married in Boston on June 26, 1976 and shared 37 wonderful years together. Since 1996, he has been a beloved faculty member in history and political science at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma. He served as a mentor to countless students and as a dear friend to the dozens of colleagues who love him and valued his intellect, unfailing sense of humor, and infectious human spirit. He was a tireless advocate for students, faculty, and staff, and a gifted, passionate teacher. David was baptized at age four and spent his adult life bringing Christ's love to others, especially those who needed Him most. In 2005, he was ordained as a subdeacon at St. Elijah, and he served in that capacity there and at St. James in Stillwater. He and his wife Laura rejoice in a host of godchildren. Since January 2011, he led a weekly Bible study for a small community of Christians in Chandler, Oklahoma. He deeply loves this community and cherished every moment with them. He fell asleep in the Lord ministering to this group of people he loves so much. He is survived by his parents, Charles Tait of Seattle, Washington, and Katharine Tait of Cornwall, England, as well as four siblings – Anne Tait (and husband Bob Bonner), John Tait (and wife Katherine), Andrew Tait, and Ben Tait (and wife Laura). He is also survived by his two children, Aaron, 31, and Aidan, 28 (and fiancé Felipe Vasconcellos), as well as his wife, Laura. He is much loved by all and will be terribly missed. Services will be held at St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church at 15000 North May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73134, on Saturday, November 23 at 1:00 p.m. The family would prefer that David be commemorated through memorial contributions to those who serve the people he loved, particularly the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry: www.theocpm.org. Additionally, David worked with Hand Up Christian Prison After-Care for Men and Women. Send donations to Hand Up Ministries, P.O. Box 892006 Oklahoma City, OK 73189-2006.