Carolyn Kay Tautfest was born December 15, 1948, in Frankfurt-on-the-Main, Germany to August L. and Edith Lorraine (Goff) Cox and passed away, surrounded by her family, on Monday, November 26, 2018, at the age of 69 years, 11 months, and 11 days.

Kay was raised and attended school in Syracuse, NY and Lubbock, TX, graduating from Monterey High School in 1966. She received her Bachelor of Science in 1970 from Texas Tech University and in 1972 she earned her Master of Education from East Texas State University. Over the next 30 years Kay taught in Lubbock, Cumby and Greenville, Texas public schools and El Reno, Weatherford and Claremore, Oklahoma public schools. She began her teaching career as a 4th, 5th and 6th grade teacher and later she also specialized in educating students with learning disabilities and gifted and talented students. In her later years she taught Psychology of Learning to college level students before she retired after 30 years as an educator. On January 13, 1994 Kay married David L Tautfest. After retirement she worked alongside her husband at Tautfest Furniture & Appliance Store in Weatherford for 15 years. Kay enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, entertaining and cooking, and gardening. Kay has been active with the Oklahoma CASA Association, where she was recently awarded Volunteer of the Year and has worked with children from across the state. Memorials may be made to CASA of Western Oklahoma, PO Box 485, Weatherford, Oklahoma, 73096 or the First Baptist Church.

Kay is survived by her husband of 24 years, David L. Tautfest of their home in Weatherford, OK; three sons, Clay Gilliland and wife, Brandi of Weatherford, OK, David Tautfest and wife, Kelly of Weatherford, OK, and Todd Tautfest of Atlanta, GA; one daughter, Dana Tautfest of Royal Oak, MI; and six grandchildren, Amelia Sons, Nora Sons, Stirling Gilliland, Hudsen Gilliland, Shawn Tautfest, and Matthew Armstrong.