Dale Taylor, 96, of Hollis, OK went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 23, 2017.

Dale was born on December 6, 1920 in the Cedar Hill Community in Floyd County, Texas at the family home. His parents were Milledge and Lillie May Fortenberry Taylor, the 4th of 7 children. He was the last surviving child of the Taylor family. Dale was a World War II veteran having served with the U. S. Army in Patton’s march across Europe known as the Battle of the Bulge. He was severely wounded in battle and lived with the pain of a German bullet permanently lodged in his body. He received many medals during the war including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Marksman M 1 Rifle ribbon. He was a true patriot, one of the Greatest Generation, and loved his country. After he returned from the war, he met a pretty young waitress, Jean Keeter in Lockney. She was 15 years old and he married her on October 3, 1945 in Hereford, TX. They moved to Hollis, OK where he and his brother, Frank Taylor, owned and operated a laundry for years. He served as the Hollis City Clerk, and worked for county commissioner Hub Stanley. He retired from Harmon County.

 

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the First Baptist Church of Hollis. He voted in every election from the time that he could vote, except for the time that he was in the service overseas. He enjoyed visiting his friends at the domino hall and on coffee breaks. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, cooking for them and their friends, and reading—especially westerns.

 

Dale is survived by his three children: Linda Hines of Tulsa, Larry Dale Taylor and wife Marti of Hollis, and Robin Smith of Hollis. Also surviving are his 10 grandchildren—Lana Cole, Lyndell Cole, Lisha Strickland, Jeff Taylor, Stephen Taylor, Ty Taylor, Rusty Taylor, Josh Martinez, George Martinez, and Janay Riley. Dale had 22 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren. He was also survived by one sister-in-law, Martha Taylor, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

 

Preceding Dale in death were his wife of 63 years, his parents, his siblings, Frank Taylor, Mattie Davis, Agnes Wesley, George Taylor, Grace Keeter, and Junior Taylor; son-in-law, Harley Smith; and his grandson-in-law, Dale Strickland.

 

Funeral Services for Dale Taylor will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Hollis, Oklahoma with Pastor Don Altom officiating.

Interment will follow in the Fairmount Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the United States Army of Fort Sill, Oklahoma with Taps played by Jeffrey Lewis.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to a church or veterans organization of your choice.