Warren Grant Taylor

Warren was the quintessential family man, and a gentleman in every sense of the word. His life was centered on the care of his family. He often referred to himself as a “dinosaur.” By this, he meant that he was out of touch with what he saw in the current culture as a focus on the individual. He preferred instead, to spend all his time with his wife and children.

His greatest love was his wife Alice Marie Taylor and they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary before she passed away 16 months ago. The two of them were two half’s of a whole. They loved, they laughed, they argued (sometimes), and they completed each other in every way. They raised Matthew, Heidi (Beutler) and Jennifer (Boussuge), were proud of them and then lamented, that they told them to see the world and they did and all moved to different states, making it a bit difficult to see eight grandchildren.

Warren was a native Detroiter, and attended the University of Detroit. He served in the Navy and the Coast Guard, where he gained his an education in mechanical engineering. He met Alice when both were working at Chrysler. As his children grew, Warren could always be counted on to do what was needed. He coached Matt’s winning little league team, although he had never played on a team himself, and he was the local Boy Scout leader, although he had never been a scout. He proudly attended all his children’s events. He was a hard worker who never complained, and a man who took peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to work every day, so he could save extra money for the family vacation.

Warren had a unique sense of humor. He did not swear, but rather made up an artificial language to use when things didn’t quite go according to plan. His children still discuss the subtleties of whether he said “Yukka sobium” or “Yakka sobium.” They are all in agreement though about his use of the phrase “Toto yetsa.” His grandchildren will all fondly remember being referred to as “toads,” to which they called him “grandpa toad.” He loved it!

Eventually Warren's job necessitated a move to Springfield, Virginia in 1981, just south of the Washington Beltway. Warren and Alice fell in love with Virginia and all the historic homes and gardens of the area. Their home became something of a B&B for Michigan friends visiting Washington and the Taylor’s were expert tour guides of all the museums on the Mall, the capitol and the monuments.

Warren loved to read, and military and history were his two favorite subjects. Their home showed it – books, books, books, biographies, history and travel filled their bookcases. He raised his son on stories of airplanes, and was proud of his accomplishments as an air force academy graduate and commercial pilot. He encouraged his daughters in all their pursuits and proudly talked about his children to anyone who would listen.

In retirement, Warren and Alice kept up with friends in their townhouse complex. He was skilled in electrical, plumbing, and any type of construction work. Warren could always be counted on to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need. Their home was a reflection of his many skills, with hand made bookcases, crown molding, chair rail, painting and tile work. He built a garden shed for Alice and laid a beautiful garden path around their home.

Warren's two major back surgeries made it difficult to live on three levels so they returned to Michigan in 2012. After Alice passed away, Warren was lost without her, and waited for the day they could be reunited. His children are reminded of one of his favorite expressions, “You know you are there, when you are there.” He’s there with her, and all who knew him will cherish the memories he left.