Capt. James Donald Taylor

Capt. James Donald Taylor

Captain Don Taylor, 71, died at his home in Sarasota, Florida, on January 2.

A gregarious, enthusiastic Renaissance man who loved adventure, challenge, and learning, Don was a sailor, a fly fisherman, an explorer, an amateur archaeologist, a philosopher, a conservationist, a naturalist, and a warrior. He was devoted to his family and many friends.

Born Feb. 4, 1933 in Gulfport, he attended the University of Mississippi on a full Naval ROTC scholarship, and earned both his B.S. in management and his commission as a U. S. Naval officer in 1954.

He earned his gold wings as a Navy pilot, and enjoyed extraordinary success in his 22-year Navy career. Flying airplanes ranging from seaplanes and Super-Constellations through T2-Js, A-5s, A-6s, and RA-5C Vigilante supersonic jets, he served aboard the aircraft carriers USS Ranger, Enterprise, and Forrestal, including three combat tours in Vietnam. He served as commanding officer of the reconnaissance squadron RVAH-13 in combat, and later as director of flight operations on the USS Forrestal. He later served in Naval intelligence and was an assistant to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His decorations included Navy Air Medals; the National Defense Medal (with star); the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; and the Vietnam Service Medal (with three stars).

After retiring from the Navy, he moved to Sarasota, Fla.,as a director for Honeywell, and later became a vice-president for Loral Systems.

In Sarasota, he was active in the Florida Conservation Association, the Coastal Conservation Association, and the Military Officer's Association. A lifelong Catholic, he attended the Church of the Incarnation in Sarasota.

Don is survived by his wife, Marguerite Shacklett Taylor of Sarasota; four daughters, Celia DeWoody, Marie Meckman, and Holly Taylor of Sarasota and Mary Saulsgiver of Alexandria, Va.; a son, James Donald Taylor, Jr., of Sarasota; and their mother, Lucile Taylor, of Sarasota; three sons-in-law, Doyle DeWoody, Steve Meckman and Don Saulsgiver, three stepdaughters, Amanda Teran of Orlando, Tracy Murrell of Peachtree City, Ga., and Leslie Kirkpatrick of Rowlett, Texas; his great-aunt and uncle, Mr. And Mrs. Richard Aubert of Gulfport; nine grandchildren; and godsons Robert Aubert, III, of Gulfport, and Greg Nowak of Largo. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Aubert Bailey; his stepfather, Elliott Bailey; and his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. Robert Aubert, Sr., all of Gulfport.

A memorial mass will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, in the chapel at Church of the Incarnation, 2901 Bee Ridge Road. Visitation will be at the church for the hour preceding the service. Later, an interment ceremony with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to Sarasota Military Officers Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1016, Sarasota, Fla. 34230.