Harry E. Taylor passed away peacefully on October 26th, 2021 at Cypress Point in Dexter, MO. He was 107 years old. Harry was born at home, on the banks of the St. Francis River in Fisk, MO on November 12th, 1913 to Alice (Lee) and Zachary Taylor.
He was one of nine children. Harry loved to share stories about his experiences as a young man struggling to find work during the Great Depression, hopping freight trains and traveling around in search of work.
He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps to earn money and traveled across the West working as a firefighter, digging potatoes, crushing limestone, picking apples, and doing construction work so that he could send money back home. After the Depression, he worked as a gandy dancer for the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
In 1940, Harry moved to Toledo, OH seeking a good paying job. He was hired by Spicer Manufacturing Corporation, which later became the Dana Corporation, as a gear cutter. In 1941, he met and married Evelyn McGowin. They raised three children together: Alice Orzehowski (Ron Chvala) of Toledo, OH; Larry Taylor (Judy) of Gardner, KS; and Timothy Taylor of Toledo, OH. While living in Toledo,
Harry and Evelyn were members of Redeemer Lutheran Church where Harry served as an usher and church councilman. He also served as a Boy Scout Leader, president of the Dorr Street Exchange Club, and was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge for 72 years.
Harry retired from Dana in 1978, and he and Evelyn moved to Dudley, MO in 1983. Over the years, Harry and Evelyn helped countless people, generously supporting family, friends, and neighbors. They purchased groceries and clothing for neighbors in need, generously supported their church, and contributed to several grandchildren’s educations.
Harry loved to play checkers and the guitar and purchased musical instruments for anyone in the family who was interested in learning to play.
Harry is survived by his three children, his youngest brother Kenneth (Ruth) of Broseley, MO, 9 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 15 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank his special niece Deborah Madison, friend Sue Tippen, Kay Seiler of Elara Care Hospice, and the staff at Cypress Point for their kind and loving care.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 6th at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk, Missouri.
Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Steve Tippen officiating.
Burial will take place at Dudley Cemetery in Dudley, Missouri.
Condolences: www.whitesandersfuneralhome.com
