Raymond R. Taylor
Loving husband, father and long time resident of Montgomery, PA and Leesburg, FL from 1982-2004, Raymond Russell Taylor, 88, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2009 in the Muncy Valley Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit. Born in Milton, Northumberland County, PA, on Thursday, July 22, 1920, he was the son of the late Fred William and Alma (Bleece) Taylor.
He was the husband of Evelyn Agatha (Rogers) Taylor, formerly of Hughesville, to whom he was married for over 66 years.
Ray attended Montgomery area and Muncy schools.
He served during the Second World War with the U.S. Army. Ray received his basic training at Peoria, Ill where he rented Agatha a private room in a private home. He was then sent to Camp Plache, New Orleans. He spent three years with the 111th Malaria Control Unit at New Guinea. Ray was at Tokyo Bay the day the peace treaty was signed.
Ray was an entrepreneur and owned and operated several businesses in the local area including: R.R. Taylor Trucking, Ray’s Bar & Grill, The Martinque, R.R. Taylor Paving Co., R.R. Taylor’s General Electric Appliance Store, R.R. Taylor Recreational Vehicles Sales & Service, Mountain View Horse Farm located in Brady Twp. where he bought, trained and sold horses, as well as owning and renting properties in Montgomery and Clinton Twp.
He was a member of the St. John Lutheran “Brick” Church at Montgomery, PA for over 63 years. Ray was a life member of Muncy Lodge #299 F. & A.M. and the Bower-Decker American Legion Post 251 at Montgomery. He was a former member of Lions Club International, Williamsport Consistory, Irem Temple Shrine where he served as hospital chairman, the Grotto at S. Williamsport, Williamsport Moose, Williamsport Travelers Protective Association and the Milton Elks. He was an honorary member of the Montgomery Alumni Association and had served on the Montgomery Area School board. Ray was a former member and past president of Montgomery Borough Council and served as Montgomery mayor in 1965.
In addition to his wife, a resident of the Muncy Valley Hospital SNU, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Bonnie Rae and Jeffrey Taylor, Montgomery, PA; Sherry Lee and Jerry Manuel, Morganton, GA; one brother and sister-in-law, Fred R. and Joyce Taylor, Montgomery, PA; one sister and brother-in-law, Effie and Wilbur Engelman, Montgomery, PA; three grandchildren, Mickey Shea Barto; Danton Lee Barto; Erin Shellee Taylor Schultz; three great-grandsons, Bryce Taylor Barto; William Elijah Graham Barto; Blaze Kristian Barto. Ray is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted from the St. John Lutheran “Brick” Church, 196 Brick Church Road, Montgomery, PA at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 with Reverend Zack LaBagh, his pastor, officiating. A Masonic memorial service will be conducted by Muncy Lodge #299 on Tuesday at 6:45 P.M. at the church. The family will provide the flowers. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Lutheran “Brick” Church, 196 Brick Church Road, Montgomery, PA 17752 or to the Muncy Valley Hospital SNU, 215 E. Water Street, Muncy, PA 17756.
Please visit www.betzerfuneral.com to sign the guest book or send an e-condolence.