Roger H. Taylor II

Roger H. Taylor II died Thursday, December 27, 2012, after a long illness. He was 62 years of age. He was born and reared in Springfield, MO, although most of his adult life was spent in Lawrence, Kansas.
Roger was a 1968 graduate of Greenwood Laboratory School. He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Roger completed his undergraduate degree in Social Work from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where he graduated with departmental honors. He went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas – Lawrence, Kansas. Roger served as a child advocate with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). He was a good listener and a gentle soul. He loved animals, especially his Dalmatian, Riley, and his golden retriever, Shamus.
Roger was a member of the Episcopal faith.
Roger is survived by his wife, Ellen Miles Taylor; and two sisters; Nancy Taylor Graff of Cape Coral, FL, and Genevieve (G-g) Taylor Shryer of Springfield, MO; a stepdaughter, Kelly Johnson of Kansas City, MO, and two stepsons, Chris and Tony Johnson.
Mr. Taylor was pre-deceased by his parents, Roger and Genevieve Taylor of Springfield, and by two sisters, Carolyn Taylor Burridge of Baltimore, Maryland, and Emily Taylor Lincoln of Columbia, Maryland.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf, Springfield. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2012, at Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel with Father Kenneth L. Chumbly of Christ Episcopal Church officiating. Interment will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Southwest Missouri Humane Society.