John Kenrick Taylor

1928 - 2024

TAYLOR, John Kenrick, 95, of Richmond, VA passed away peacefully at his home at Cedarfield on Sunday, January 28, 2024. Born in 1928 in Pawtucket, R.I., John was the eldest of Dwight and Mary Taylor's seven children. Throughout his childhood, the family moved frequently, living in Rhode Island, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Illinois. John graduated high school in Hinsdale, Illinois and attended The Virginia Military Institute, graduating in the Class of 1950B, a fact that he proudly shared on his personalized license plate. Throughout his life he remained active with his alma mater, attending annual VMI events and striking up conversations about the "old corps" whenever he met a fellow VMI alum, particularly if he was a "Brother Rat".

John was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and then transitioned to the Virginia Air National Guard. He had a 40-year career with Virginia Electric and Power Company. He started as a lineman and later worked as the Director of Public Relations and Corporate Secretary for Dominion Resources, Inc. While there he was actively involved in the company's United Way efforts. John attended St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry, the rector search committees, ushered and assisted with the Emmaus feeding program well into his 80s. He was actively involved with Bon Secours, the Henricus Foundation, the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, and even worked for several summers on trail crews in Montana!

John was an avid sailor, pilot, parasailer and hiker. He led many groups of novice hikers on "easy" hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, constantly motivating them with his horrible puns and "promises" that they were almost there. John and Ruth famously led a number of trips for family and friends to Switzerland, where good food, drink and conversations abounded.

John is predeceased by his first wife, Betty Ruth Culbertson and by Ruth Williams Taylor, his second wife of 36 years. He is survived by his sisters Harriet Taylor, Margaret Taylor, and Mary (Daniel) Fowler; his children Dody (Bob) Kois, Debbie Taylor, Prue (Allen) Miller, and Timothy (Kathy) Taylor; his stepchildren John Campbell and Elizabeth (Robert) Bayston; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, all of whom cherished their time with him and frequently sought his counsel.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 815 E. Grace Street in Richmond, VA 23219 at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 24 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Church; the VMI Alumni Agencies, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 as a memorial gift; or the Cedarfield Retirement Community Samaritan Program at 2300 Cedarfield Parkway, Richmond, VA 23233.