Robert Wayne Taylor

1938 - 2022

Robert Wayne (Bob) Taylor

Bob was born in 1938 in McKinney, Tex. to Alice Lorraine O'Donoghue & Alvin Wilson Taylor. His parents divorced when he was very young. He was raised by his mother, who remained single until she married Carl Middaugh in 1952. Bob spent several summers & school breaks with his father & younger half-brothers Billy & Buddy Taylor in Texas & New Mexico. He cherished close relationships with their families & the Texas Taylors as an adult. Bob was especially close with his paternal grandparents in McKinney. Over the years he also resided in Los Angeles, Seminole (where he spent quality time with his much-loved Native Amer. maternal grandmother), Oklahoma City & Tulsa.

Bob was very drawn to music as a teen, enjoying a flourishing professional stint as a vocalist & guitarist in the 1950s & early 1960s. He had very fond memories (plus great stories) of playing & touring with Johnny (J.J.) Cale, George Metzel & Roger Stallings as Bobby Taylor & the Valentines.

Bob married the love of his life & lifelong partner, the stunning Judy Smith, in 1959. This was a couple of years after he invited her (an underclassman) on their first date to his senior prom at Tulsa's Will Rogers High School in 1957. He later took classes at Oklahoma State University & the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Not pursuing a college degree, it was more his style to learn what he needed to know in order to reach specific goals.

Bob proudly served in the U.S. Air Force & was on active duty during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

As he was slowly diminishing his work in the professional music business, Bob was also becoming increasingly involved in what became his primary career in the financial sector. He began working for the Oklahoma Credit Union League in 1966, serving as the League President from 1970 until retirement in 1986. He'd been one of the two youngest League Presidents in the nation, referred to as the "Kiddie Corps." He founded several Credit Unions statewide, including Saint Francis Credit Union in Tulsa. He was widely regarded for his expertise in governmental affairs and successful promotion of major legislation. He was instrumental in lobbying that allowed Credit Unions to offer more services (such as share draft AKA check writing and ATMs) to members, often opposing the Banking Association. He helped push through requirements that Savings & Loans must disclose on advertising in bold & conspicuous print "Not Insured by any Government Agency." Bob considered enticing career offers in Washington DC, but wanted to keep his family in Tulsa near his mother and in-laws. Bob was a member of many boards and professional organizations (Credit Union National Association, F.O.P. Credit Union, OK Corp, Oklahoma Credit Union League, World Council of Credit Unions, etc.). He tirelessly furthered the cause of the Credit Union movement & was a trusted advisor to those in the field. He was a consumer protection advocate to the core. In one favorite family photo, he is paused to smoke a cigar with his Board on the Capitol steps.

After retiring from the professional music scene, Bob found ways to weave his love of music into his life until the end. Some of his children's earliest memories include their Daddy serenading them on guitar & singing the Crawdad Song, You Are My Sunshine & others. He enjoyed crooning jazz tunes with guitarist Tommy Crook at Angelo's & many locations over the years. Bob once did a white jumpsuit performance of Elvis Presley gospel songs for an event at the First Baptist Church in Jenks, Okla., where he was a member, saying that God's love is expressed in many ways. He performed at Credit Union conferences (much to the delight of his Board). He sang for the Rogers Roundup and gatherings of Will Rogers High School graduates. He enjoyed playing to support fundraisers. He played with Tulsa band Class Reunion for years. He enjoyed singing & playing guitar in scaled-down jazz performances with saxophonist & pianist Johnny Williams at retirement communities, joking that they didn't have to worry about any backup players showing up drunk or late to the gig.

Bob adored his wife & loved his children from the moment they were born until the day he died. He was a very proud grandfather & great grandfather. He was predeceased by his grandparents, mother, stepfather, father, a stillborn brother, two half-brothers, & most of his best friends & colleagues.

At the advice of his cardiologist, Bob began in-home hospice care in June 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic. He lived another 14 1/2 months, much longer than expected, with the help of Saint Francis Hospice professionals & his family.

Bob Taylor will be remembered for his love of friends & family, dedication to his career, perseverance, strength of character, honesty, kindness, practical jokes & musical talent. His family likes to imagine him in heaven watching OU Sooners football, playing music with old friends, reconnecting with long-lost family, & joyful reunions with his beloved dogs.

Bob peacefully & painlessly passed away in the company of family on Aug. 24, 2022 at the age of 84. The Taylors hosted a private graveside service on Oct. 1.

A Tribute event will be held on Tues., Nov. 1, 2022 at 1 pm in Sharp Memorial Chapel on The University of Tulsa campus at 800 S. Tucker Dr. In fitting style, there will be live performances by Okla. music legends & some soon-to-be legends. Life is to be celebrated!