Richard Earl Taylor
1939-2022
Richard was born on January 24, 1939, in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Theda Mae and Earl Taylor. He grew up and attended Shawnee public schools and graduated from Shawnee High School in the class of 1957. After High School, he attended Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.
On February 19th, 1959, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving aboard various units of the Seventh Fleet in the Pacific, and went to the Western Pacific four times on patrol. Richard served on the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier as well as the USS Baya and USS Salmon both submarines of the Pacific Fleet, and the USS Piedmont, a Destroyer Tender that attended units in Vietnam and received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. After attending Fire Control B school in Great Lakes, Illinois, he served on the USS Wasp in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and later transferred submarine, the USS Nautilus in Groton, Connecticut. Followed by his service on the USS Fulton, a submarine tender, when he retired from his Military Service on August 2, 1979.
After returning to Oklahoma, he was employed with Seagate Technology as an Engineering Tech and retired after 19 years. He also returned to his studies receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Advertising from Central State University on May 11, 1990.
Richard always attended church with his family and was active in all church functions. He loved to sing in the Choir. He gave his life to Jesus at an early age.
Richard was interested in art and mechanics at an early age and was always curious about how things worked. As a teenager, he designed and drew up plans for the owner of the Roll-A-Way Skating Rink in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He was an Artisan, always drawing and designing many projects throughout his years, including making Commercial signs and plaques of all types. More recently, a Silversmith and Lapidary designing beautiful custom jewelry.
Richard loved to joke around, talk with everyone he met, travel, and spending time with loved ones. Hobbies included roller skating in his younger years, square dancing with his wife, refurbishing antique autos and going to antique auto shows, bonsai trees, involvement with the Oklahoma Mineral and Gem Society, participating and attending his Shawnee High Class of 1957 reunions.
Richard is survived by the love of his life, Carol Jeanette Armatucci, marrying November 10, 2005. A son, Kenneth Wayne Taylor, and wife, Dita of Brno, Czech Republic, and a daughter, Gina Lynne Scott, and husband, David of Corpus Christi, Texas. His four sisters, Carol Jean Danner and husband Bobby, Anita Ledford and husband David, Linda Renegar (late husband Gene), Judy Bland and husband Quinton. Stepchildren, Lisa Musgrove and husband Glen, Bill Conway all of Edmond, OK, and Chad Conway of Sioux City, IA.
Along with many Nieces, Nephews, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren and he was so proud of them all.
There will be a graveside service on Friday, July 29th at 11:00 am at Memorial Park Cemetery, 13313 N Kelley Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73131 following a private family viewing. A memorial service will also be on Friday, July 29th at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church, 705 E Rickenbacher, Midwest City, OK 73110.