Obituary of Robert Baird Taylor

Robert Baird Taylor of Lynchburg, Virginia died on May 2, 2013. Born in Lynchburg, February 9, 1923, he was the son of the late John Edwards and Mary Wood Taylor. Bobby, one of the Greatest Generation, was the epitome of a true Virginia gentleman. He was a graduate of E. C. Glass High School and Washington and Lee University, where he was a member of ATO and ODK fraternities. He served as a tail gunner on a B17 in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was the owner of Taylor Bros., Inc., remaining President until 1992 and Chairman until 2006. In the 1970's he developed Wildwood subdivision. Bobby was a community and business leader serving as a member of St. John's Episcopal Church's vestry, president of the Virginia Building Materials Association, and treasurer of the Architectural Millwork Institute. He served on the boards of United Virginia Bank, Builders Mart of America, Virginia Episcopal School, Sandusky and Boonsboro Country Club. As an avid hunter, he was a member of the Bobwhite Lodge. He loved flying his Beechcraft Sierra, "88 Romeo", and playing golf with his friends. Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean Campbell Taylor, his three children Catherine Taylor Dickinson, Jean Taylor Meeks and her husband Sam, and Robert Baird Taylor, Jr. and his wife Mary. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Jeffrey Christopher Ramsey and wife Olivia, George Owen Meeks, III and wife Hope, Sarah Meeks Petty and husband Tray, Elizabeth Meeks Hopkins and husband Marc, Carrie Dickinson Terry and husband Chris, Robert Baird Taylor, III, John Reed Taylor and James Cole Taylor. He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren. Mr. Taylor is also survived by his sister, Harriet Taylor Ramsey and her husband George. He was preceded in death by his three brothers, John Edwards Taylor, Jr., Cecil Wood Taylor, and James David Taylor and one sister, Frances Taylor Frazier. The family will receive friends in the Commons of Westminster Canterbury from 4:00-6:00 pm on Sunday, May 5th. A private graveside service will be held at Springhill Cemetery. A memorial service, officiated by The Rev. Diane E. Vie and The Rev. William J. Watson, III, will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church at 11:00 am on Monday, May 6th. Memorials may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church,200 Boston Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24503 The Academy of Fine Arts, 600 Main St., Lynchburg, VA 24504 , Virginia Episcopal School, 400 V.E.S. Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24503, Westminster Canterbury Foundation, 501 V.E.S. Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24503 or a charity of your choice. Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory-Wiggington Road Chapel, 385-8900, is in charge of arrangements. On-line condolences may be sent to wwwdiuguidfuneralservice.com