Louis Gabriel Tarantino, 66, was born in Jersey City, NJ on February 15, 1944 and died at home surrounded by his family in Dallas, TX on May 5, 2010.
He was raised in Queens, NY with his younger brother Ronald. Lou served as a Sergeant in Company B, 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry of the Americal division's 11th Light Infantry Brigade of the armed forces in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1971. After his discharge he began work at Zale Corporation in New York and obtained his Associates Degree from Union College in New Jersey. After working in various merchandising positions at Zale Corporation, Lou continued his career as a manufacturer's representative for several large jewelry manufacturers until his retirement in 2008.
In 1980 he met and fell in love with Debra McKee in New York and after 3 years of courtship the two were married in 1983. They settled into life in Dallas after their wedding, and had their first child, Gabrielle, in October of 1984. In January 1988 the couple had their second child, Christopher. Lou was very involved with the YMCA's Indian Guides program with both of his children and was also involved with the Boy Scouts of America helping Christopher and many other young men earn their Eagle Scout awards. Lou enjoyed participating in competition shooting, was active in the NRA, and loved caring for his salt water aquarium.
In 2008, Lou was diagnosed with colon cancer and after a valiant battle, succumbed to the complications from the disease. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends.
He is survived by his wife Deb McKee Tarantino and their children Gabrielle Tarantino and Christopher Tarantino of Dallas, TX. His brother Ronald Tarantino and his wife Jane of Hudson, FL and his children Scott Tarantino and his wife Bonnie of Cockeysville, MD, Ronald Tarantino Jr. and his wife Jackie of Ft. Myers, FL, and Tracy Tarantino of Lehigh Acers, FL, brother-in-law David McKee and his wife Diane of Lake Forest, IL and brother-in-law Dennis McKee of Lake Kiowa, TX He is also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews; as well as many extended family members and friends.
The family wishes to thank the Healing Hands prayer group from Canyon Creek Presbyterian church for their weekly prayer meetings with Lou - it was a highlight for our family every week! And, we would also like to thank the staff and Doctors at the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center for their compassion and care of Lou during his illness.
Visitation will be held at Sparkman Funeral Home in Richardson from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Funeral services celebrating Lou's life will be held at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church at 10:00 a.m. Saturday. A military graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park (Northwest Highway and Boedecker) following the service, and all are then invited to join the family at lunch.
In lieu of flowers, Lou and his family ask that donations be made to the American Cancer Society for colorectal research, the Boy Scouts of America, or to Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson, TX.
Sparkman Funeral Home 1029 S. Greenville Ave Richardson, TX 75081 (972) 238-7855
(Originally published at Sparkman Funeral Home.)
Lou Tarantino was a former sergeant in B Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry, 11th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division during the Vietnam War. CLICK HERE to see the pictures he submitted to this web site.
