Galen Glenn Taylor

Galen Glenn Taylor, 79, of North Chesterfield, Virginia left this life to join his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in heaven on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. He was born in Medina, Ohio on December 29, 1945 to Glenn & Gladys Taylor; and is preceded in death by his brother, Gilbert.

Galen was raised in a rural area surrounded by farms and his playmates were all farm kids. So-called play time more often than not included helping the farmers plant and harvest their crops and tend to a wide variety of livestock. Some of Galen's fondest childhood memories were learning the art of husbandry on the neighboring farms, excursions into the woods behind his home, long talks with his mother, helping his father work on automobiles and riding motorcycles.

At the age of 17, Galen joined the U.S.Navy and served as a Marine Mechanic on the USS Enterprise in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam war. After his military service Galen settled in Richmond, Virginia where he met his future wife, Mildred.

When Galen was 6 months old he was rescued from their burning home by his father who suffered third degree burns to his lower legs in the process. That fateful event would lead to a 47 year career in fire suppression and prevention. Galen served with several fire departments including Richmond, Virginia, Lockheed Martin Aircraft, Warner Bros. Studios ultimately retiring from Los Angeles County Fire Department as a Fire Prevention Engineer. Galen had a special acumen for fire prevention; and working with the California Fire Prevention Officers Association, the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council he actively participated in the promulgation of local and national fire and life safety codes.

Galen had a passion for graphic arts and actually operated a freelance sign painting and graphic design business in his spare time for ten years. He also had a fascination with automobiles and aircraft made with polymer matrix composites and ultimately acquired journey level status as a composites fabricator.

Galen is survived by Mildred, his very special bride and wife for 50 plus years and their 6 wonderful children: Vicky Reedy, Kimberly Cox, Barry Revels, Vanessa Roeder, Galen Taylor II, Ashley Taylor; and oh so many grandchildren.

A visitation for Galen will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, VA 23113, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. A burial with military honors will follow at Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia, 10300 Pridesville Rd, Amelia Court House, VA 23002.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a local food bank.