Obituary of Richard James Taylor

On February 21, 1932, a baby boy was born to Mary Bell and William Taylor, Sr. He was named Richard James Taylor and grew up in Lexington, KY. After graduating from Dunbar High School, he entered the military service. While in the military, Rick married Mary Kathryn Cook and to this union, one child was born, Regina E. Taylor. He served 23 years experiencing extensive tours of duty in many countries. He served in combat areas in Korea and Vietnam. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal, Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, Bronze Star Medal and other medals and awards. He graduated from the Conn Machine Technical Institute and Sales Training Institute, Inc. Rick was licensed as a Real Estate Agent in 1974 and licensed as a Real Estate Broker in 1978. He attended the University of Texas, Arapahoe Community College and enrolled in the Denver Seminary in 1983. Rick also received a Bachelor of Theology from United Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Theology degree in 1989. He was ordained as a deacon in 1981 at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. R.L. Pogue. He later accepted his calling to the ministry and was licensed in 1984, and ordained in 1986 at St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. Fred Hopson, Jr. In 1989, Rev. Taylor held offices of the Dean of Salem Baptist District Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress, Vice President of State Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress, 1st Vice President of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Colorado. Rev. Richard was installed as the pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church on July 17, 1988 and remained until he retired for health reasons in April, 2011. He is preceded in death by (2) brothers and (8) sisters. Rev. Taylor leaves to mourn and celebrate his homecoming, his wife of the home, Delois J. (Ray) Haynes-Taylor, whom he married in November 1999; and one daughter, Regina E. Coleman (Cincinnati, OH). He has (5) stepchildren Napoleon A. Courtney, Cynthia D. Haynes-Williams (Malcolm) and Gregory L. Haynes, all of Denver, CO; and Drorit DeAngelo, Michael Burke, both of Las Vegas, NV; (3) grandchildren, (3) great-grandchildren and (5) step-grandchildren; sister, Emma Taylor of Lexington, KY and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.