Van Ralph Taylor ’45

Van Ralph Taylor ’45, of High Point, N.C., passed away peacefully on Aug. 22, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer. Taylor was born Sept. 20, 1924, to Leamon Lawrence and Mamie Taylor Taylor, who preceded him in death, as did his sister, Hattie Taylor Fryar. Following the death of his father and mother, he lived with his uncle and aunt, Van Gilbert Taylor, and his wife, Dorothy Dixon Taylor, in Everetts. He attended Mars Hill and Davidson Colleges. From July 1943 to November 1945, he served in the U.S. Eighth Air Force in the European Theatre, where his flight crew completed 25 bombing missions. He was awarded the Air Medal and four clusters for his service. Following his discharge, he attended Hardbarger Business College. He and his uncle operated The Taylor Dairy until it was sold to the Maola Company. From 1954 until his retirement in 1989, he was a field auditor and tax auditor for the N.C. Employment Security Commission. He was stationed in Reidsville from 1961-65 and Roanoke Rapids from 1965-71 until returning to Williamston. He was an active member of the Memorial Baptist Church, where he served for a number of years as treasurer. He was a valued member of the Lions Club, which he served as president and many years on the board of directors. He maintained membership in the SEANC and the Eighth Air Force Association. He was married on May 22, 1951, to Mildred Thomas Taylor, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, Greg Taylor, M.D. (Cathy), 4602 Chesterfield Pl., Jamestown, NC 27282-8632; grandchildren, Justin Taylor and Jessica Taylor; and many devoted nieces and nephews.