Taylor Hamilton Almarode

Taylor Hamilton Almarode, formerly of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, having resided recently in Murrells Inlet and Bishopville, South Carolina, departed his life on earth on November 6, 2017 at 8:39 AM. He was 86 years old. Taylor was born in Augusta County, VA on May 24, 1931 to Walter Hamilton and Nora Dell Hawkins Almarode. He was one of four children including two sisters, Anna Marie and Rosa Lee; and one brother, Danny H. Almarode. He attended Augusta County Schools, served in the United Air Force from 1947-1950 and the Air Force Reserves from 1950-1953. He maintained a small plane pilot’s license. He was the Charter President of the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, was the past president of the local Lions Clubs in both Virginia and South Carolina, was President of the Lee County (SC) Chamber of Commerce and active in several organizations in Lee County, SC before and after his retirement. Taylor was a 32nd degree Mason, earning his degrees at the Lynchburg Scottish Rites Temple. He was a member of the ACCA Temple Shrine in Richmond, VA. He was past Master of Lodges in Virginia and South Carolina. He owned grocery stores in Stuarts Draft and Charlottesville, VA. He worked for Valley Dale Meat Packing before moving to South Carolina. There, he obtained a real estate broker license before retiring to the coast of South Carolina. He recently moved to Virginia to be near his children. Taylor was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. Survivors include four sons and two daughters, Jim Almarode and wife, Elaine of Stuarts Draft, Ron Almarode and wife, Sylvia of Waynesboro, Jay Almarode and wife, Lisa of Lebanon , OR, Jan Almarode and wife, Stacey of Orlando, FL; Jackie Almarode and spouse, Danielle of Clifon Forge, Susan Almarode of Crozet. In addition, there are eight grandchildren, John Almarode and wife, Danielle, Joseph Almarode, Jenna Dennis, Emily C. Almarode, Amy Almarode Myers and husband, Bob, Lindsey Almarode, Emily T. Almarode and Bailey Almarode; four great-grandchildren, Dylan Almarode, Ava Almarode, Tessa Almarode and Jackson Almarode. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 10, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 618 West Main Street, Waynesboro and at other times at the residence of Jim and Elaine Almarode in Stuarts Draft. Interment of his cremains will be private. The family requests in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, 10 Manor Drive, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamickfuneralhomes.com