Kenneth Nelson Taylor

Lansing, Michigan

Kenneth Nelson Taylor, "Ken", loving father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2016. Ken was born on April 2, 1929 in Lansing to Elson G. and Bernice (Swarthout) Taylor.

Ken grew up in Lansing, attending Lansing Eastern High School. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1946. He trained in Parris Island, South Carolina, and then served nearly two years in Tsingstao, China. Upon an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps, Ken was a long haul truck driver for several years, working for Benjamin Hartford of Lansing. He was employed by Harry Bannasch Welding Company of Lansing prior to joining John Bean Corporation where he served for several years. Ken attended Lansing Community College for his welding credentials. Ken became a Master Journeyman Tool & Die Welder for the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors and worked tirelessly for thirty years at the Oldsmobile Forge Plant in Lansing. He was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Lansing for many years, and became a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Grand Ledge after moving to Grand Ledge in 1968.

Ken was an avid reader of history, especially about Native Americans. He deeply respected the Native American people, their struggles and the ways in which they have overcome adversity. Ken also loved animals of any kind and saw them as a means of personal and spiritual identity. Ken was a licensed private pilot for many years throughout the 70s and 80s. He was the proud owner of a 1959 Tri-Pacer four seater plane fondly named "Kara." Ken spent many weekends attending fly-in Dawn Patrol Breakfasts throughout the Midwest. He loved snowmobiling, motorcycle touring, canoeing and traveling by pick-up with a fifth-wheeler attached. Above all, Ken was a generous soul when it came to assisting others with car and vintage farm tractor repairs, especially those generally less fortunate and individuals with mental health issues. He supported the advancement of community mental health initiatives for over 30 years. Ken was also passionate about country music and the exploration of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Ken is survived by his sons Kevin (Susan) of Princeton, New Jersey, and Kip of Lansing, his beloved granddaughter Alexandra Margaret Taylor, nephew Kenneth Dean (Teresa) Ouellette, cousins, Audrey (Mike) Grubaugh, Becky Fancett, Leola Bush and William Montague, and brother-in-law, Ronald (Judy) Richardson. Ken is also survived by his former wife, Jacqueline, of Grand Rapids.

Ken is preceded in death by his father, Elson G. Taylor, and stepmother Clara Taylor, his mother, Bernice (Swarthout) Martin, and stepfather Frank Martin, and his sister and brother-in-law, Waneta and Robert Ouellette of East Lansing.

A memorial service will be held at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 19, 2016. The family will received friends from 10:00-11:00 am Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Great Lakes Hospice Care. Condolences may be left on Tiffany's online guest book at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com. The family wishes to thank everyone at A Home Away from Home and Great Lakes Hospice for their loving care of Ken.