Edsel Taylor, 86, of Eakly, OK passed away at his home near Eakly on April 6, 2012 with his family by his side. He was born October 8, 1925 to Otha Jason and Amanda Melvina (Lee) Taylor two miles south of Eakly. Edsel attended Banner Grade School near Eakly and graduated from Eakly High School in May of 1942. He married Thelma Modene Rogers on September 15, 1944 and shortly after was drafted into the Army. He served in the 32nd Division of the Red Arrows overseas on the island of Luzon in the Phillipines and fought there along the Villa Verde Trail. After the war he served in Japan guarding Korean prisoners of war on the train as they were being transferred back to Korea. Later he was assigned to an air base in Japan and served eight months as a fire fighter there before being discharged. He originally was inducted into the army, but was discharged out of the Army Air Corp in 1946. Edsel and Modene were married for 67 years until her death in November 2011. From this union four children were born, Dwane, Donna, Judy and Roger. He farmed peanuts for 50 years until he retired in 1997. There wasn't a piece of farm equipment he couldn't fix if he set his mind to it. He loved to watch the old western movies after he became ill and couldn't do much outside. Edsel never met a stranger and made friends where ever he happened to be.
He is survived by three children, Edsel Dwane Taylor, of Weatherford, OK Roger Lyndell and wife Tammy of Eakly, OK
One daughter Donna Joyce Lawrence of Eakly, OK
twelve Grandchildren
Alesia Vance, Brooke Taylor, Sharla Sharry, AJ Lawrence, Lacy Kestler,
Jason Stuteville, Jade McKay, Jaysa Wyatt, Hope Gardner, Mathew Taylor, Nathan Taylor, Natalie Taylor
Twenty one great-grandchildren
Taylor Brophy, Garrett Vance, Turner Sharry, Thomas Allin, Miles and Chloe Lawrence, Kayla Shantz, Dacy Parrish, Jaiden Kestler, Tori, Tanner and Colton Stuteville, Brand, Cage and Stone McKay, Taya and Tallys Wyatt, Aria and Alden Gardner , Kamryn and Zander Taylor.
four great-great grandchildren
Crosslyn Gracia, Lionel and Mason Shantz, and Kamberlyn Parrish.
One brother, Donald Taylor and wife Nelda of Fritch, TX one sister-in-law, Lula May Taylor of Bedford, TX and a number of nieces and nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Modene, his parents, two brothers, two baby sisters, his daughter Judy Ray, one granddaughter, McKyna Sharry Gracia
Services: 2:00p.m., Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at the Assembly of God Church, Eakly, OK Burial will follow at the Eakly Cemetery under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Carnegie