Taylor was born on June 8th, 1995 in Kansas City, MO to parents Thomas R. Ware and Robin L. Rank. He had a very large smile, and heart. Even from a young age, he always had a smile on his face, with dimples showing. His sister Briana was much older (11 years) so they had a unique relationship as far as siblings go.
Taylor was a former Kearney HS Bulldog, and was a state medalist his senior season, playing a vital role in clenching the 2013 Team State Wrestling Championship for Kearney Wrestling. He had been described as "a fierce competitor on and off the mat" Taylor also received college credits after graduating high school, but chose instead to serve his country in the Marine Corps before finishing his college education.
Taylor had not yet decided on a career path, as he knew he would take full advantage of military training and reimbursement at a later date. He was just recently getting situated to live in Louisville, and planned to complete his college education at Eastern Kentucky University.
Lance Corporal Taylor Ware served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged February of 2019. He was an Air Traffic Control Radar Technician for 3 years 11 months at MCAS, Miramar, San Diego, CA, actively serving for a total of 5 years; and also remained, until his passing, under military active recall duty. His awards include: Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and he received his 3rd Award Expert Rifle Qualification Badge.
Taylor grew up in the suburbs of Gladstone, MO, until moving to a rural area of Holt, MO with family. He remained there until enlisting, where he completed boot camp at MCRD San Diego, CA and went to his (training) A School at NAS Pensacola, FL. His final duty station was then MCAS, Miramar in San Diego, CA. He met so many soldiers, friends, and brothers in all of these locations!
Taylor was an adventurous outdoors-man. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and anything else that got him outdoors. He played many sports growing up, ranging from baseball, soccer, track, HS Football, and finally wrestling; where he excelled. Taylor loved music, had a very eclectic taste in artists, and enjoyed going to concerts. He was an avid reader; he owned and kept many books, and enjoyed reading for learning and pleasure. He even took the opportunity to read to nephew Wake's Kindergarten Class at Hale Elementary on one of his visits. Spending time with his young niece and nephew was a priority for him, especially when he got to build Legos!
Taylor loved to travel, and took his time off to visit many friends and fellow service members across the US. He was fond of showing visiting family and friends the sights around California as well. Just this summer, he went on a solo trip to Europe to several countries. He traveled by train, staying in group hostels and similar, and made several new travel companions along the way. He was very spontaneous, and was up for any activity or excursion with friends, even at a moment's notice. Taylor loved riding his motorcycle, and was very sentimental about it; not wanting to sell it even when it became run down.
Taylor could even be accused of hamming it up, or being a prankster, if only to make others smile or laugh. His final act of kindness was to give the gift of life to others through organ and tissue donation.
Taylor is survived by parents Tom Ware of Claycomo, MO and Robin Rank of Kansas City, MO; grandparents James (Jim) Whitaker of Kansas City, MO; siblings Briana Garton (Joe Garton) of, Hale, MO nephew Wake Garton and niece Saylor Garton; Aunt Laura DuBow (Norm Dubow) of Huntington Beach, CA and cousins Ben and Georgia Dubow; Aunt Susan Masters (Jeff Masters) of Kansas City, MO and cousins Josh Masters, Jimmy Masters, and Nikki Roberts; Uncle, Bill Allee of MO; Aunt Melody Thurston of Independence, MO; Aunt Sandra Sublette (Jim Sublette) of Elmwood, TX; Aunt Charlene Harris, of Kansas City, MO; as well as many cousins, second cousins, other family, and dear friends near and far.
He is predeceased by both grandmothers, Carolyn Whitaker (2000), and Kathryn Norval (1997), as well as his step-father Michael Rank, (February 22, 2013)
The family suggests donations in Taylor’s honor to help #breakthestigma surrounding mental illness, as Taylor was suffering from a mental health condition at the time of his passing.
NAMI Missouri (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
https://namimissouri.org/donate_now/
Or AADA, The Anxiety and Depression Association of America
https://members.adaa.org/page/Donate
