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Alec (Pat) Taylor
Alec (Pat) Taylor
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Alec (Pat) Taylor Obituary
JANUARY 31, 1936 - JANUARY 24, 2025
Alec Patton "Pat" Taylor, Jr., 88, of Bowie, Maryland, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025, after a long illness, with his wife and son by his side.
Born in Fairview, Virginia, to Alec Patton Taylor, Sr., and Anna Lee (Wolfe) Taylor, Pat grew up in a beautiful, rural area that inspired his lifelong passion for the outdoors. He attended Lincoln Memorial University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Physics. It was there he met and married his wife, Betty Hatmaker.
In 1959, Pat was commissioned into the United States Navy, where he served with distinction until retiring as a Captain in 1986. As a Navy intelligence officer during the Cold War era, he earned a Master of Science in Electronics Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. His career included deployments aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) during the Vietnam War and assignments that took his family to Guam, Japan, Silicon Valley, and Washington, D.C. He treasured the lifelong friends he met in the Navy. Over his career, he received numerous commendations for his service, including the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.
After retiring from the Navy, Pat continued to serve his country as a consultant to the Department of Defense. In retirement, he embraced his love of nature through hunting and fishing and, along with Betty, cultivated a backyard sanctuary to complement his beloved Purple Martin colony. A brilliant thinker with a passion for problem solving, he enjoyed solving complex math equations for fun, expert level Sudoku, and mentoring algebra students online.
Pat is predeceased by his parents and sister Cleo Darnell. He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Betty; his son Alec; and his three cherished grandchildren: Caitlin Taylor, Cameron Taylor, and Emma Taylor.
Per Pat's wishes, no services are planned. Memorial contributions may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
Pat will be remembered for his selfless demeanor, wisdom, sense of humor, and quick smile. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
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5 Entries
Linda Wolfe Kelly
February 5, 2025
I am so sorry to learn about the death of my cousin, Pat. His mother and my father were siblings, and my father named me after her. Because of that she was special to me. The age difference prevented us from being close; however, I always loved to hear about his career and achievements from his parents and my parents. Again, I am sorry for this distressing news.
Nancy Taylor Light
January 30, 2025
I never officially met Pat in person, but I could tell he was a great man through our FB conversations re: our Taylor family genealogy/history. He gave me invaluable information that I will treasure forever! I´m so happy to have connected with him in these last couple years....Thoughts and prayers to all the family, friends and loved who were close
To him.
Geoff Cerrelli
January 30, 2025
I´ve known "Mr. T" for over 40 years. We shared so many fine times in the woods and on the water. He and his family put on some awesome MD crab parties in their backyard every summer for a lot of years. And could he ever cook up "some fine viddles" at hunting camp, so often with a southern twang.
He seemed to have so many old time ways of doing things that just plain worked. Handy with his hands at crafting things for fishing like building/repairing a rod and making fish-catching lures, flies, and rigs that worked. He was always there to help kick in on some fun times, such a giving man. He had lots of cool stories from his childhood through life. He was sharp as a whip with puzzles, riddles, math, etc. He so enjoyed seeing and hearing about my kids as they grew up.
Our condolences go out to family. We´ll all miss him.
Mitzi Bledsoe Clark
January 28, 2025
Betty and Alec, I am sorry to hear of Alec´s passing. I know Daddy, Gilmer, thought the world of him and could tell lots of stories about their growing up days in Fairview. I absolutely appreciate his generosity in sharing all of the genealogy information and pictures he shared with me about our ancestors. His information helped me into the DAR and Daughters of 1812. My prayers are with you and the family.
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Kelli Moulden
January 28, 2025
Alec and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I still chuckle every once in a while when I think back to when I was back there one Christmas. Your Mom was making Christmas cookies, we were watching MTV, when Paul Simon's song, "you can call me Al" came on. Your Dad got up and started dancing all crazy, we were cracking up and your Mom kept saying, "PAT! Stop that, PAT!" I'm smiling now, as I write this.
Heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family. He was a wonderful man that I hope to see someday in heaven.
Much love to you all,
Kelli
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