RALPH L. TAYLOR

RALPH L. TAYLOR
MISSION - Ralph L. Taylor, 90 years old, born December 9, 1919 and died on April 24, 2010 at his residence in Southern Oasis in Mission, Texas. Ralph was born and raised in Massachusetts.
He served 15 years in the U.S. Navy. He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He received a Special Commendation for bringing in his ship, Destroyer USS Bryant, after it was hit by a suicide plane near Okinawa on April 16, 1945. He served his country with honor.
After he retired from the Navy he worked as a traveling salesman for U.S. Gypsum Co. for 17 years, covering all of the United States and Canada. He built the first Lime Plant in the world in Dayton, Ohio, which he ran for 7 years.
While working as a salesman, Ralph came down to Mission and liked it so much he decided to retire here in South Texas.
Ralph has been a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church many years and a member of the School Board. He is also a member of the McAllen Elks Lodge for 33 years. He has been a member of AARP for 35 years and was a driving instructor for AARP here in the Valley for many years.
He is survived by his sister Doris Dube, Parris, CA, his wife of 5 months Opal E. Krechel, by his daughters Jerrieann Taylor, Oceanside, Ca, Barbara Williamson, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Betty L Garcia, Huntington Beach, Ca, Jane Yeager of San Marcos, Ca.
He had four grandchildren, Todd Nicholas, who preceded him in death, and three surviving grandchildren, Kelly Krider of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Jennifer Weast, of San Diego, Ca, Donavan Weast of Pensacola, Fl.
He had four great-grandchildren, Danielle Krider, Kimberly Krider, Taylor Weast and Ocean Weast.
Funeral Mass will be Friday, April 30th at 12:00 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Mission, TX. Internment will follow at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery. Memorial Reception to follow at Southern Oasis Club House from 4-6 pm. His generous and loving spirit will be remembered by all who knew him. He will remain in our memories forever. Services are under the direction of Ric Brown Family Funeral Home of Mission.
Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries