Richard Lee Taylor

Richard loved the Lord, his God, with all his heart! He was married to the love of his life, Virginia Jo for 57 “brief” years. They often spoke of how quickly their years together had passed.

Richard was born in Mishawaka, IN, the 6th and youngest child of Mary and Clyde Taylor and beloved brother of Howard, Joe, Virginia, Johnny, and Pauline.

Richard was known for his big smile and his even-bigger heart. He was always ready to share a warm hug and a loving word of encouragement. He loved his children intensely, and he and Virginia nurtured and raised them up in the ways of the Lord. He worked hard at whatever he did, from his 30+ years at IBM, to building a large workshop in his backyard, to making beautiful treasures. Richard also played hard, whether with his precious children and grandchildren, square dancing and line dancing with Virginia, or water skiing on the lake.

Richard proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps, to which he credited his discipline and work ethic. After retiring from IBM, he bought a scroll saw and made stunning jewelry, three-dimensional angels, and a variety of toys. He also worked at the AE Finley YMCA maintaining and repairing work-out equipment. He quickly became a beloved member of the YMCA family. In the years after Virginia passed, he took up ballroom dancing where he made countless friends.

Richard adored his grandchildren and always responded in agreement to any request—whether playing hockey or soccer in the backyard or designing and creating a custom arsenal of wooden weapons in his workshop.

We will deeply miss our beloved father and granddad. His memory will live on until the return of our Savior, Jesus when we will share the most amazing family reunion imaginable.

Richard is survived by daughters Mara and Lisa (Allen) and son Rich; grandchildren Alison, Philip, Jacob, Trey, and Ryan; great-grandchildren Topher, Ginny, Bryson, and Korra; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, wife, Virginia Jo, and daughter, Linda.

Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 - 5:00 pm Sunday, September 20 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd, Raleigh. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, September 21 at the same location. Burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.