Richard Connell "Rick" Taylor

Rick was born in Fayette County, TX to Calvin and Iva Lee Richardson. He spent his early years with his grandparents, William Lee and Hedvick Calhoun, while his mom attended college. After his mom completed her Master's Degree Rick and his mom moved to Carthage, TX where he graduated from High School and completed his Associate Degree from Panola Junior College before attending Baylor University and graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor's Degree.
Rick was a talented writer, artist, cartoonist, and graphic designer. He spent several years working as a writer and sports reporter for various newspapers, owned and operated his own newspaper for several years which allowed him to meet celebrities like Mickey Mantle and work on Phil Graham's campaign for the U S Congress. After leaving the newspaper he opened a typesetting business which he eventually expanded to include printing. After retirement he combined the Taylor Made articles he'd written through the years and published a book, "The Naked Truth," in honor of his mother who was a High School English Teacher. He loved being able to give away "The Naked Truth" to people every chance he had. He also wrote but never published a book about a minister who found the Lord, left drug abuse, alcohol, and homelessness behind when he was saved, and who told his amazing salvation story and served the Lord until his death. The book was never published for reasons beyond Rick's control.
Rick served as an elder at the Presbyterian Church in DeSoto, became a Stephen Minister at Holly Tree Chapel in 2002, and was a member of Cross Brand's Stephen Ministry Team from 2015 until his death. Rick was an avid reader, enjoyed old time radio shows, bowling, woodworking, and visiting with people. He had a great sense of humor and was a very caring person.
Rick is survived by his wife, Lonelle; children and their spouses, Randy and Jane Taylor, and Kim and Mikell Tomlinson; grand-children, Zach, Nick, and Sara Tomlinson; great grandson, Will Tomlinson; his full time companion, Toby, his blind poodle; niece and her husband, Michele and Billy Cockrell; nephews and their wives, Craig and Mickey Berry, and Greg and Sandra Berry; and great nieces and nephews and their spouses, Ryan and Amy Ford, Amanda and Cody Smith, Kyleigh and Rashaad Williams, Caleb and Nina Berry, Danielle Berry, Khris Berry, and Sara and Garrett Blair; and several great, great nieces and nephews.
Rick was preceded in death by his father, Calvin Richardson; mother and stepfather, Iva Lee and Mickey Reaves; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lonnie and Dessie Berry; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and June Berry; brother-in-law Darriel Berry; grandparents William Lee and Hedvick Calhoun; and cousin Larry DeWitt.
A celebration of Rick's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at Cross Brand Cowboy Church in Tyler. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cross Brand Cowboy Church at https://app.securegive.com/crossbrand/cross-brand-cowboy-church/donate/category or mail donations to Cross Brand Cowboy Church, 11915 FM 2015, Tyler, TX 75708. Whether giving online or via mail, please indicate donation is in memory of Rick Taylor.