R. David Taylor

R. David Taylor David Taylor, 67, died quietly in the company of family on Saturday, April 17, after a long illness. Born October 28, 1942 in Dallas to Weta and Ray D. Taylor, and raised in Brownwood, Texas. He was a loving husband to his wife, Mary, for 38 years. David was preceded in death by his parents; and survived by Mary; his brother Michael Lee Taylor and wife Joy of San Diego; and his son, R.D. Kincannon, and wife Amy and grandson Ethan David, of Plano; his in-laws, the Hanlon family; and numerous friends who will remember him lovingly. As a professional photographer, he owned Oak Hill Studio, where he practiced his special style of portrait photography for over twenty years. He created photographs that are honest and natural, capturing the essence of each individual. David was a Board Member and Historian of the Professional Photographers Guild of Austin. He was a certified a photo preservationist, helping reclaim and care for family histories. He taught genealogy classes for the Lifetime Learning Institute. David was a life-long learner and teacher. Under the extensive tutelage of Psychotherapist Dan Jones, he co-led men's support groups that aid members in recovering from early emotional injury. Here, he honed his skills to later interact with troubled youth. His photography work was his first passion, but he managed to transfer that passion to a second career working with homeless youth. This connection was made when he volunteered with the Austin-Travis County Homeless Taskforce in 1997 to collect and archive pictures of homelessness and hunger taken by teenagers living on the University's "Drag". After closing the photography studio, he joined LifeWorks staff where he developed a deep understanding of the most effective way to work with homeless teens and young adults. He helped transition many to find their way to a more meaningful and productive life. David was a Court-Appointed Special Advocate, assigned to serve as an advocate for abused children. As a volunteer for fifteen years for Parents Anonymous of Texas, Inc., he led parent education and children's therapeutic play groups, facilitated volunteer training and staffed the parent crisis HeartLine. He also volunteered in Children's Hospital of Austin Surgery. David was recognized by the Texas Network of Youth Services as the Youth Care Worker of the Year in 2007, and elected to their Board of Directors the same year. In addition to photography and working with youth, David orchestrated an annual Halloween extravaganza that began every July and ended around Christmas. "Druids' Den" was enjoyed by many, but most of all, himself. David often quoted a Buddist saying that , if fully understood in all of its meanings and implications, is said to be all one ever needs to know. The saying is, I love what comes, and I love what goes. For some, it is what comes that is hard, for others it is what goes. If we can find the balance between the two, we will know peace. Donations may be made in David's name to LifeWorks at: http://www.lifeworksaustin.org/site/c.jqLSIXOBKpF/b.1504603/k.C043/Donate.htm