Obituary of Richard Green Taylor

Richard (Dick) Green Taylor, age 86, died of natural causes at Emeritus West, Ocala Florida on January 1, 2011, at 12:14 a.m. Surely he would have enjoyed the irony of surviving long enough to bring in the New Year. Dick was born in Hazard, Kentucky to Arlene Green Taylor Craft and Harry Taylor on May 9, 1924. The family moved to Miami, Florida in 1927. He graduated from Miami High School (1940); graduated from the University of Miami (1945) with a Master's degree in Chemistry; and received a Juris Doctorate from The University of Miami School of Law (1949). He remained in Miami until 2004, when he retired to Ocala, Florida. Dick always had his faith in God, an abiding dedication to justice, and loved his profession of practicing law. He was a founding member of the Florida Bar Association, and provided pro bono services to numerous organizations such as the Black Ministers Association of Miami (Dr. Thedford Johnson, Chairman) and the Miami Outboard Club. After closing his own law firm in 1999, he was appointed as Hearing Officer in the Miami-Dade County, Florida judicial system. Dick was also active in the Florida Admirals Association, the Orange Bowl Committee, and was a member of the Mahi Shrine and Masonic Lodge for over fifty years. Dick will be especially remembered for his story-telling, witty, and not-so-witty, remarks. Throughout his life Dick was also active outside his profession, playing tennis for the University of Miami, working through college as an accordionist, violinist and flutist, and playing many rounds of golf at The Biltmore. The activity that was always in the forefront of his life however, was his avid love for the water and boating; whether it was fishing, diving, or socializing; be it in Biscayne Bay, the Florida Keys, or the Bahamas. He was a long-time member of Coral Reef Yacht Club and the Miami Outboard Club (Commodore in 1960), and was an initiator and implementer of the Miami Marine Patrol. In 2008 the Miami Outboard Club celebrated their 70th Anniversary and honored Dick's many years of participation and service by dedicating the 2008 Yearbook to him. He was overwhelmed by this recognition. Dick was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Taylor and his sister, Alice Mills. Survivors include his wife and companion of 25-plus years, Maxine; his only child, Dr. Richard W. Taylor (Becky) of Bath Ohio; three grandchildren: Matthew J. Taylor, Andrew R. Taylor, and Jonathan M. Taylor. He is also survived by a step-daughter, Janet Harbaugh (David) of Tampa Florida; two step-grandchildren: Crystal L. Wood and David J. Harbaugh Jr.; and a step-son, Hugh T. Johnson (Vikki) of Dayton, Tennessee; two step-grandchildren: Nicholas Smith, and Chelsea R. Johnson. A service to celebrate a life well-lived will be held Friday, January 7, 2011, 11:00 a.m., at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 9695 SW 110th Street, Ocala, Florida. There will be a private ceremony for scattering of ashes at a later date, in those waters that Dick so loved. Thank you to everyone for your condolences and prayers. Special gratitude goes to Hospice for their help, compassion, and support. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Marion County, P O Box 4860, Ocala, Florida 34474.