Charles R. Taylor

Charles Ray Taylor

died on July 11, 2014. He was born on a Morgan County, Indiana farm near Mooresville to Ray and Norma (House) Taylor. At age 7, Chuck moved with the family to Indianapolis to live on the grounds of the Indiana School for the Blind, where his dad became the grounds keeper. It was a wonderful place for a boy to grow up. He and his four sisters, and one brother had ample space to play.

Chuck attended Nora School through the 7th and 8th grades, then Broad Ripple High School, graduating in 1949. An article in the Star calculated that his coming four year business degree would cost him $26,000. However, the Korean Conflict cut into the four years and after 2 1/2 years, he joined the Air Force. After discharge, he became a private pilot, flying single engine planes.

Chuck's North Central Equipment Rental Company was mostly busy in the warm weather and payments on his newly purchased house went right on. Around 1957, the new North Central High SChool needed more school bus drivers to begin the year. Chuck was asked to help. He said he could help for a couple of months. He has a bad internal calendar, as those months stretched into fifty-two 1/2 years!! He discovered that he loved his routes, the students and their activities, especially those of the Special Olympics.

In the 60s, he began driving North Central basketball teams to games, later also transporting football teams. He initiated fireworks for the home football games, obtaining and safely firing them.

In the 60s and 70s, he was with the management of Nora Plaza Shopping Center. From there he went to First Baptist CHurch as Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds where he remained for 10 years. These jobs were flexible enough to allow him to continue to drive his bus routes. Since 1989, he has been busy driving field trips in addition to regular routes.

Chuck had 38 acres of wooded land in Owen County that he kept mowed like a park. He created several campsites that had access to water and electricity. Many groups and families enjoyed weekends there. Chuck loved to travel, starting with tenting, then a fold-down camper, and finally a motor home. However, his best trips were those taken to visit relatives in England and Germany.

Gardening was a great love. He planted forty tomato plants and 8 long rows of corn. He just loved to watch it grow!

Chuck was a member of First Baptist Church of Indianapolis for around 35 years. He was a member of Washington Township Lions Club, where his favorite activity was helping with the State Fair corn stand. He was a 50 year member of Masonic Keystone Lodge and the Scottish Rite.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ruth Owen Taylor; sons, Jeffrey, Brian and wife Leslie, and two grandsons, Colin and Patrick; brother, Robert; and sisters, Joan, Jean, and Janet. He was preceded in death by a sister, Josephine.

Family and friends will gather on July 14th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in First Baptist Church, 8600 N. College Ave. A memorial service will be celebrate his life at 11 a.m. on Tuesday July 15th, also in the church, with calling one hour prior to service. You are invited to visit the website: http://www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Chuck, sign the guestbook or arrange for a memorial contribution to Washington Township Special Olympics or the the donor's favorite charity in Chuck's name. Burial will be at Union Chapel Cemetery where he served on the Board of Directors for many years. Arrangements: Leppert Mortuary.