68, drywaller served in the Navy at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
Robert Baldwin Taylor, 68, of Gravois Mill, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009, at St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City, Mo., after a long illness.
He was born Nov. 1, 1940, in Chicago, Ill., a son of the late Joseph William and Dorothy Ilene (Nighswander) Taylor.
Born and raised in the Chicago area, Robert felt most at home at the Lake of the Ozarks, where his parents had opened a lodge in 1962 and where he loved to go boating and fishing.
He joined the United States Navy at a young age, and served during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. He was a professional drywaller, and worked for several years at Eskens Drywall in Jefferson City. He was also a talented carpenter, roofer, painter and craftsman.
Bob was generous with his time and talents, and he possessed a great sense of humor. He was a lifelong animal lover.
He is survived at home by his fiancée, Mary Burgess, and their two cocker spaniels Buffy and Cindy; two daughters, Connie Lynette Bartholomew and husband Robert (Jeff) of Jefferson City, and Carol Ann Decker and husband of Joplin, Mo.; two sons: Joseph William Taylor III of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Sean Michael Helms of Stanton, Ky.; two grandsons, Alec Michael McKinney and Andrew Robert McKinney of Jefferson City; one granddaughter in Joplin; two brothers, Thomas Edward Taylor and wife Judy of Independence, Mo., and Joseph William Taylor, Jr. and wife Vickie of Goose Creek, S.C.; three sisters, Carol Jeanne Norton of Richmond, Va.; Beverly Ilene Hess and husband Roger of Raytown, and Vicki Lynn Kingsley and husband Carl of Independence; an aunt, Susanne Fremouw and husband Robert of Tinley Park, Ill.; three nieces, Robin Wiley and husband Jaye of Independence; Lori Amirshahi of Richmond, Va.; and Donna Huffer and husband Ken of Kansas City; and two nephews: Scott Williquette of Branson, Mo., and Jon Hukill of Independence.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Kidwell-Garber Funeral Homes in Versailles, (573) 378-4655, contact@kidwellgarber.com.
In lieu of flowers and other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Central Missouri Humane Society in Columbia.
