George Edward Taquino III passed away at age 79 on March 9, 2022, in Madison, Mississippi, after a valiant battle with cancer. George, a native of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, lived life as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach, and mentor. After serving his country as a Marine, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from USM, met and married Ethel Claire Clark, and embarked on a career as an educator. He spent 29 years working in the Long Beach, MS, school system, where he was a guidance counselor and a softball and cross country coach to a countless number of Long Beach youth. An avid fitness enthusiast who had a passion for long distance running and strength training, George inspired two generations of his progeny, and counting, to healthy lifestyles. George was a longtime member of Long Beach First United Methodist Church and Madison United Methodist Church. After retirement, George, and his alter ego, who went by the trail name “Mississippi Mule,” discovered the exhilaration of long distance hiking. Mississippi Mule traveled thousands of miles on the Appalachian Trail, where he experienced the beauty and wonder of God’s world as he hiked over mountains from Georgia to Maine. George was friendly and social by nature, but he spoke loudest through his actions. He cut a bright path through life, leaving kindness in his wake, inspiring those around him, and serving as an example to his children and grandchildren on how to live a full and good life. He was a truly unique soul and is deeply missed by his family. George was preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Mae Holley Taquino; father, George Edward Taquino, Jr.; and sister, Hollie Ann Shelanskey. George is survived by Ethel Claire, his wife of 50 years and true partner on his journey through life; son Michael (Rosy) Taquino of Starkville, MS; daughter Karen (Matthew) Thompson of Madison, MS; grandchildren Agatha and Michael Taquino, and Will and Claire Thompson; and siblings Carl Frank Taquino of Starkville and Victoria Dufour of Saucier, MS. A funeral service for George will be held at Madison United Methodist Church Chapel on Monday, March 14th at 11:00 AM, with burial to follow at Pearl River Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 10:00-11:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Wells United Methodist Church’s Tuesday Morning Food Pantry or Pearl River Church and Cemetery in care of Madison United Methodist Church.