Reeves Ramsey Taylor, Sr.

Reeves Ramsey Taylor, Sr., age 93, of Red Oak, Texas, passed away on August 7, 2022. Reeves was born on March 6th, 1929, to John and Cleone Taylor in Providence, Rhode Island. He had a keen interest in the environment and the sea and was a member of the Sea Scouts, spending two summers as a seaman on local fishing vessels. He attended Hope High School in Providence, R.I., where he was an honor roll student and met the love of his life, Gloria, whom he later married and had three sons. Upon graduating from high school in 1947, he attended Brown University and joined the Naval Reserves Officers Training Corps (NROTC).  Later, Senator Theodore Francis Green nominated him to attend the US Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1953, beginning his distinguished military career. Eventually rising to the rank of Captain (O-6), he would go on to command RVAH-6, a high-speed aviation reconnaissance squadron, where he flew over 65 Vietnam combat missions.  Later in his career, he would lead the Navy’s Minority Recruiting Program, which served to diversify and create the modern Navy of today. During his career, Reeves earned numerous awards and medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal (twice), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Air Medal-Strike/Flight, before retiring in 1975.  During his time in the Navy, he earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Doctorate in Physics.  After Reeves retired from the Navy, he settled in Houston, Texas, and took a job with Shell Oil Company, retiring as a Management Training and Development specialist.
 
His family remembers him as an excellent provider and big encourager of their education. He is remembered as a very structured and military-minded man who loved traveling.
Mr. Taylor is preceded in death by his parents, son Neil Taylor, and granddaughter Marcia.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gloria (Beaubien) Taylor; son, Reeves Taylor Jr. and wife Dena of Red Oak, Texas; and son, John Taylor; and grandchildren: John, Miranda, Michael, and Alexis.  He will be fondly remembered and missed by all who knew and loved him.

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