David R. Taylor

David Robert Taylor, Colonel Retired US Army, passed away on Monday January 20, 2025 at the age of 80 years old. He earned his bachelors degree in electrical engineering from South Dakota State and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army on July 30 1966. He served his country with distinction and honor as an Air Defense Officer from July 30 1966 to August 31, 1992.
He successfully completed Ranger and Airborne schools prior to deployment to Vietnam in 1968. There he was assigned to MACV and became a Ranger advisor for a Vietnamese Ranger Battalion. There he performed countless missions with the Vietnamese Rangers and earned a Vietnamese Ranger tab, Bronze Star, Air medal, Vietnamese gallantry cross and Vietnamese honor medal first class.
He earned his graduate degree at UTEP and met his wife Irene. They had their first child Elizabeth. Later he completed Pathfinder school. He then served as an air defense advisor in Saudi Arabia when his son Robert was born.
He was a project manager for the development of a software language for the Army. He finished his military career as the Director of Missiles for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for research and development at the Pentagon. He received the Legion of Merit medal upon his retirement as a full Colonel from active duty having served 28 years.
At the age of 48, David started his civilian career where he worked as a defense contractor overseas for a several years, spent many years working as a software project manager, and enjoyed teaching college classes.
He is survived by his wife Irene (married 50 years), his twin sister Linda, his daughter Elizabeth, his son Robert, his favorite daughter-in-law Donna, and his two grandsons Sean and Brian.
David was loved by his family. He was an active Christian and he was kind to everyone he met. He was never reluctant to help family, friends and even strangers in need. He enjoyed teaching others and learning new things, and he had a passion for adventure and travel. He traveled the world and lived life to fullest. He will be missed.