Cloyde Elvin Taylor

Funeral services for Cloyde Elvin Taylor, 88, Lawrence will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Family Church of Lawrence, 906 N. 1464 Road, Lawrence, KS (Bob Billings Parkway to George Williams Way – follow the signs). Military graveside will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Cloyde passed away peacefully at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, October 7, 2015.

Cloyde was born October 18, 1926 in Chanute, KS, the son of Elvin Theodore and Mary Jane (Hubbard) Taylor. Cloyde was the eldest son of 11 children.

He graduated from Southwestern Bible Institute in 1951 with a degree in Theology.

The U.S. Army drafted Cloyde at age 18 and he served as part of the first group of soldiers in Occupied Japan. From this experience, he realized people are all the same all over the world.

He married Betty Lou McBee on August 21, 1948 in Fowler, CO. They were blessed with two daughters. Cloyde’s family made their home in Eudora where he was a deacon at the Assembly of God Church for many years. He and Betty moved to Lawrence in 1973.

Cloyde worked at the Hercules Power Plant for three years. He retired from Farmland Industries CO-OP in 1986 at the age of 60. He loved children and became a crossing guard for Broken Arrow and Centennial Schools, retiring again at the age 81. Cloyde also helped his daughter in her licensed home daycare. At Calvary Temple and Clinton Parkway Assembly of God churches, he was known in the children’s department as Cleo the Clown and a ventriloquist with side-kick, Rodney Zero. Cloyde volunteered with a Prison Ministry and Lay Witness Missions for many years. He loved studying God’s word and sharing what he had learned.

His proudest moments were being involved in the lives of his grandchildren and he rarely missed a play, concert, sporting event or church activity. Cloyde taught each of his grandchildren how to ride a bike, throw a ball, drive a car and took them fishing. He was “grandpa” to all he encountered and even his license plate reflected that name.

Cloyde was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Taylor; three sisters, Rosella, Velma, and Viola; three brothers, Floyd, Jackie Lee, and Merle; and son-in-law, Rex Williams.

He is survived by two daughters, Kathy Anderson (Chuck) of Topeka, KS, Judy Williams of Lawrence; five grandchildren, Amy Brooks (A.J.) of Lawrence, Tracy Anderson of Topeka, Gina Storm (Chuck) of Gardner, LaVonda Norcross (Jody) of Lawrence, Craig Williams (Christine) of Lawrence; five stepchildren, Randy Hartford of Lawrence, Doris Fullington (Eugene) of Florida, Carolyn Harrell (Jerry) of Meriden, Debbie Horowitz of Oskaloosa, and Mark Hartford of Denver; many great grandchildren as well as many great-great grandchildren.

Cloyde was a man who never pushed his Christian beliefs on anyone, yet, everyone who knew him saw his Godliness in action. He really lived what he believed. He loved well and was well loved. His big smile and Godly advice will be missed.

The family will greet friends from 7 – 9 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2015 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Family Church of Lawrence and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

7 Condolences

  1. Sonya Williams on October 8, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with this family. Grandpa Taylor had a full life and lived it very well. He will be missed by so many including myself. I will never forget you but i know you are so much more happy now reunited with grandma. You two have touched the lives of many people and now you can look down on us and watch over us all until the day we are privileged to join you. I may not be able to physically say goodbye but you know my heart sure does and no one can stop that. R.I.P. love u



  2. Phyllis Richardson Stadley on October 8, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    Don’t forget that he played Santa for all those years when he was with Farmland! He had such an impact in my life when I needed to be loved and he and your mom showed me that they cared. Such a wonderful example of God’s love in action.

    I am sorry for your loss, and know he is praising Jesus as we speak!

    (((Hugs to you all.) Will keep you in my prayers.

    Love, Phyllis



  3. Mary Modeer on October 9, 2015 at 7:32 am

    I first met Cloyde (and his wife Betty) while attending Clinton Parkway Assembly of God. Cloyde was the epitome of a Godly man.
    He was an awesome listener, if you ever needed an ear and his advice was always biblical. His early life was not easy, but once he came to know the Lord, his love of the Lord never waivered and he was not ashamed of this love. I will forever remember him saying, “Oh God” throughout the service both at CPAG and FCL.
    My prayers go out to the family of Cloyde Taylor. May the Lord comfort you from all grief and distress.

    Blessings,
    Mary Modeer



  4. Caroline Foster Hicks on October 9, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    Cloyde will be truly missed by all who ever knew him. I think of him and Betty as another set of parents since I spent a lot of time in their home as we grew up. When I grew up and married I moved away but when I was home and had the opportunity I would try to visit with them. My prayers go out to the family and I hope we will never lose contact with each other. Glad you are moving close, Kathy. Sorry that I will not be able to get up for the services but I will be thinking of all of you. God bless!



  5. Linda Wood on October 9, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Sending hugs n prayers to you all.



  6. Larry Bakerink on October 9, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    As Broken Arrow’s principal I could always depend on Mr. Taylor being on duty in the morning welcoming students on their way to school and sending them home after school with a parting positive comment. He was humble, dependable, and loyal. Any student who used the tunnel to get across Louisiana Street knew and cared about “Mr. Taylor”! He was an important part of our school for many years.



  7. Travis & Valerie Green on October 9, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    Love and Prayers to the Taylor family. All I can say is I was truly blessed to have been a part of Uncle Cloydes life. You will be loved and missed always, but I wish I could have seen your face when you saw our Lord…
    Rip
    Travis Green



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