Howard Taylor III

Ray Howard Taylor III, “Howard,” 75, of McLean, Virginia passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025 surrounded by his beloved “4Chicks.” Howard was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020 and fought with everything he had until his final days. Throughout the toughest days of his disease, he remained true to his loving, caring and humorous nature.

Howard was born on June 14, 1949 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He was the son of the late Kathleen Bryan Taylor Edwards and Ray Howard Taylor, Jr. and the eldest of eight siblings. Howard graduated from The Charlotte Country Day School in 1968. In highschool, Howard was known for both his many athletic and academic accomplishments, most notably, his basketball career, as well as his love of Latin, a testament to his expansive vocabulary. His yearbooks all have notes from fellow classmates commenting on his humor and his charismatic nature, something that stayed with him throughout his life.

Howard attended the University of Virginia and graduated with a History Degree from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1973. He loved his time at UVA, he was a member of both Phi Kappa Sigma and Eli Banana. Howard spent most of his years while at UVA shooting hoops at the gym, hanging at the Phi Kapp house, pranking other various nearby fraternities on Madison Lane, and occasionally fitting in some studying at the library.

After graduating from UVA, Howard founded Student Services, a moving and painting company that helped with home projects for students, professors and civilians alike in the Charlottesville area. A few years later, Howard moved to Washington, DC and began his lifelong career in wealth management.

Howard started working at Merrill Lynch in downtown Washington, DC in 1979. He was a Financial Advisor with Merrill for over 45 years. He took such pride in helping and coaching his clients and their families in investments and how to maximize their earnings.In 1986, he met the love of his life, Shawn. It was love at first sight as they were engaged in just six weeks and married four months later in London, England on April 11, 1987. They began their life together in Old Town Alexandria and eventually went on to have and raise their three daughters, Gavin, Victoria “Tory,” and Kathleen “Katie” in McLean, Virginia.

Howard kept himself plenty busy outside of the office. His love of sports continued well into his adult life. He loved to golf, and coached his daughters’ soccer and basketball teams. He also served on the board at The Holton-Arms School for over 10 years as a Trustee, Chairman and Trustee Emeritus.

Howard was passionate about many things but his greatest joys were his wife, his daughters,his career, Christmas, his UVA Hoos and his many dogs! His gregarious nature and infectious smile will be deeply missed by all those who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Shawn; daughter, Gavin Blue, son-in-law, Ty Blue, granddaughter, Virginia Blue; daughter, Tory Kinard; son-in-law, Andrew Kinard; and daughter; Katie Taylor; brothers, Bryan Taylor and John Taylor; sisters, Kit Taylor, Pricey Harrison and Laura Edwards; and Uncle, Joe Bryan. He is preceded by his sisters, Melanie Taylor and Susan Edwards.

The wake will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2025 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM at Murphy Funeral Home (4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203). Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Saint Luke Catholic Church (7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to #TeamTaylor in the DC Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The walk will take place on Saturday, September 27 and we would love any and all to join us as we walk to honor Howard’s legacy and raise awareness for this devastating disease.

The link to donate and register for the walk can be found under the donations link below.