David W. Taylor

David William Taylor, 76, passed away on May 26, 2021 in St Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo surrounded by his family. David (Dave) was born in Kansas City, Mo on June 11, 1944 to Wallace and Betty Taylor and was the eldest of the four siblings (Ronnie, Steve, Rick). Dave attended Ruskin High School and graduated in the class of 1963. In 1964, Dave enlisted and proudly served 3 years in the United States Army where he served a one-year deployment in Vietnam.

Dave met his first wife Jan Phillips and was married in December 1965. Out of this union, Dave and Jan had three children Tammy, David and Bryan. Eventually, Dave and Jan ended their marriage peacefully and went their separate ways.

Dave possessed several talents, one being the gift of art. After serving his time in the military, Dave came back to Kansas City where he put his art skills to use as a medical artist for Menorah Medical Center. Dave felt his calling was to serve the public and became a police officer for the City of El Dorado Springs, Mo where he served 22 years in various positions including Chief of Police for the last 2 years. One of Dave’s many accomplishments with his time in law Enforcement was the initiation of the first Missouri chapter of the Blue Knights, an internationally known law enforcement motorcycle organization.

Dave also possessed the love and talent for music. With the help of a high school buddy, Dave learned to play the guitar, and for the next 50 years played and entertained local crowds with various country music bands. It wasn’t until his eldest son David became an accomplished drummer that Dave formed his own band, The Country Express. For the next 10 years, along with his son and two other close friends, Dave and the Country Express was well known around the El Dorado Springs, Mo area. In later years, Dave would become part of the guitar choir at his church and would help others find the love of music through playing and teaching guitar.

After retirement, Dave returned back to his hometown of Kansas City where he was reunited with his high school sweetheart Sandra. They were united in marriage in February, 2005 and were together until his passing.

Dave continued to put his artistic ability to good use by volunteering at Union Station as an airbrush artist in the model train exhibit; painting and airbrushing the various model trains, and scenery. Dave’s artistic ability didn’t stop there; he volunteered his services by painting various murals for area schools in the Hickman Mills area. One in particular school was his alma mater, Ruskin High School, where he painted a mural for the day care center. Dave also painted murals for St Luke’s UMC where he and Sandra were members of the church.

Throughout Dave’s life, one thing that was important to him was his family. He would consistently encourage and support his children and grandchildren in anything they did.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and a daughter. He is survived by his wife Sandra Taylor of the home; his two sons, David (Teddi) Taylor of El Dorado Springs, Mo and Bryan Taylor of Springfield, Mo; three grandchildren, Janell Taylor of Springfield Mo, Emily (Josh) Reasoner of Springfield and Erika (Sam) Jones of El Dorado Springs, Mo; one great grandchild, Noah Dawson; Mary Thomas (aunt) of Kansas City, Mo; the mother of his children Jan Taylor of El Dorado Springs, Mo; and numerous cousins.

Funeral services will be on June 1, 2021 at Park Lawn Funeral Home at 1 pm (8251 Hillcrest Rd, Kansas City Mo, 64138) with visitation being held from 12noon -1pm. Interment will be at the Green Lawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Veterans Community Project, 8900 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Missouri 64131.

Funeral services will be on June 1, 2021 at Park Lawn Funeral Home at 1 pm (8251 Hillcrest Rd, Kansas City Mo, 64138) with visitation being held from 12noon -1pm. Interment will be at the Green Lawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Veterans Community Project, 8900 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Missouri 64131.