George Orson Taylor, currently residing in Chattanooga, died on Friday, October 9, 2009, following an illness.
George was born on December 21, 1918, in Sandusky, Ohio, but lived most of his life in South Alabama, mostly Robertsdale and Mobile. He graduated from Robertsdale High School in 1936, and forever took pride in the fact that he was part of the football team that beat traditional rival Foley High School after a 16-year losing streak.
He attended college at The Citadel and was a loyal fan of their football team all his life.
He was also an avid golfer in his leisure time, and was known in golfing circles in Mobile as an especially good left-hander, having won many trophies through the years, including the prized championship of Skyline Country Club.
A veteran of World War II, George was a radioman in the U.S. Navy in 1943-44. In recent years, he talked a lot about his secret mission to the Panama Canal Zone during the war, because 50 years after the fact, information was declassified and he received a medal of appreciation from the government.
George was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Margaret Deaux Taylor, a native of Summerdale, Al. Together, George and Margaret owned and operated George 0. Taylor Company, a wholesale grocery brokerage business, in Mobile, for many years before they retired.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, George Jeffrey and Nadene Mohr Taylor, of Chattanooga; his daughter, Sylvia Taylor Stanford, of Chattanooga; his granddaughter, Susan Lynn Taylor, and his granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Teri Taylor and Evann Gibson, all of Chattanooga; his niece, Pamela Wolf Houk and her family of Little Rock, Ar., and Tulsa, Ok.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m., at St. John's Episcopal Church, 22764 Highway 59 South, Robertsdale, Al., in the Gilbert Room.
The funeral service will follow at 10 a.m., with Rev. Jack Miller officiating. Burial will be at Silverhill Cemetery, Silverhill, Al.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church Garden Fund, P.0. Box 1137, Robertsdale, Al. 36567.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family. Local arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.