Obituary for May 29, 2017
Published 9:35 am Monday, May 29, 2017
Bob Taylor
Sumpter, 1932-2017
Robert “Bob” Taylor, 84, of Sumpter died May 6, 2017, with his loving wife, Fern, at his bedside.
A celebration of Bob’s life, with military honors, will take place Saturday, June 3 at 1 p.m. at the Taylor residence, 10095 Huckleberry Loop in Sumpter. There will be food and refreshments. Please bring your favorite memories and let’s celebrate Bob’s life!, his family said.
Robert Leonard was born on June 4, 1932, at Baker City to Leonard and Cora (Roethler) Taylor. Bob attended school in Baker City, graduating from high school in 1949. He entered college but was soon drafted to the Korean War in the fall of 1951. Bob served two years, including two terms in Korea, and was honorably discharged in 1952. He then returned to college at Eastern Oregon University at La Grande.
After graduating he accepted a contract to teach college prep math and science at The Dalles. He married Gayle Grilley and together they had four sons. They later divorced.
On Aug. 14, 1980, he married Fern Gordon Lewis at Incline Village in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Fern owned Coverworks, a floor and window covering store in Baker City. There they worked side by side their entire married life for 37 years.
In 1995 they sold the family ranch in Haines and moved to their current acreage in Sumpter. Together with the help of Fern’s brother, Walter Gordon, they built a beautiful large log home that they have lived in for 20 years.
Bob enjoyed golfing, hunting, boating and snowmobiling. He loved his family and especially loved big dinners with Fern “doing all the work” (which she enjoyed).
Bob is survived by his wife, Fern; his sons: Steve and his wife, Kim, Mike Taylor and Tom Taylor, all of Washington; grandsons, Garrett and Griffin Taylor; step-grandchildren, Sam, Kate and Pat; great-granddaughter, Nora Ann Vaughan, and his son-in-law, Charlie Vaughan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Evelyn Rucker; a son, Kip Taylor; and his step-daughter, Teresa Vaughan, in 2007.
Contributions may be made to Best Friends (animal rescue and adoption) in Baker City or to the McEwen Church at Sumpter through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences may be made at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com