Daniel Ray Taylor

Daniel Ray Taylor, 77, of Atlantic, NC, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Carteret Health Care surrounded by his loved ones.

A funeral service to honor Danny’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 3rd at Sea Level Missionary Baptist Church with Rev Terry McInnis officiating. Interment, with Masonic Rites and Military Honors, will follow at Nelson Bay Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.

Danny was born July 1, 1947, at Morehead Hospital as a twin son to Milton and Mariam Taylor. He was a graduate of Atlantic High School before enlisting in the United States Navy followed by the United States Coast Guard serving in Savannah Georgia, Cape Lookout and Fort Macon. Upon finishing his military career, he went to work at the Naval Aviation Repair Facility (NARF) known today as Fleet Readiness Center East onboard MCAS Cherry Point and retired in 1998. As if he hadn’t worked enough, upon his retirement he went to work with various contractors at Atlantic Outlying Field before finally retiring for good to look after his grandson Mason Lee Taylor.

Danny was a jack of all trades and a master of every one of them. He could make knives with deer antler handles, pour belt buckles, woodwork, carve decoys, reload bullets and fix anything that needed repairing, genealogy, and war history. He was an avid hunter and marksman and enjoyed hunting with both his sons, grandsons and granddaughter.

Danny was a dedicated member of Crissie Wright Lodge #741 in Smyrna NC. He was a well-known jokester and never missed an opportunity to untie an apron or double knot it behind your back. When a fundraiser was being held you could count on him to be there to help or at least tell you what needed to be done. Danny was also a member of Sea Level Missionary Church and wanted to spend his final hours affirming his faith in Jesus Christ. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion and enjoyed his friends at the local meetings.

Those left to carry on his memory are his wife, Hazel of the home, daughter Gail Brooks of Harkers Island, son Stephen Taylor (Cara), daughter Sarah Block (Oliver), and son Charles Taylor (Amy), all of Atlantic. He is also survived by grandchildren, Rebecca Mann (Chad), Stephen Ryan Taylor, Caitlyn Taylor, Jacob Rodriguez, Landon Taylor, Danny Rodriguez, Mason Taylor, Taylor Rodriguez and Logan Taylor; step grandchildren, Grayson Block, Chandler Block and Ivey Block; 8 great grandchildren, Hunter, Jaxon, Aiden, Boden, Riley, Ellie, Harley and Avery; and brother Sammy Taylor (Luann).

Preceding him in death were his parents, Milton and Mariam Taylor, son-in-law Pepe Rodriguez, sister Shirley Fuchs, brother-in-law Charlie Fuchs, grandson David Brooks, and great granddaughter Hilary Brooks.

On behalf of the family, they would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the employees and Nurses at Carteret Health Care especially Taylor Brown, Emileigh Salter, Lucas Bonvillan, his VA group, and special caregiver Kimmie Willis.

Flowers are welcome, or donations can be made in memory of Danny Taylor to Crissie Wright Lodge #741 or Sea Level Missionary Baptist Church.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.