Cloyde Elvin Taylor

Funeral services for Cloyde Elvin Taylor, 88, Lawrence will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Family Church of Lawrence, 906 N. 1464 Road, Lawrence, KS (Bob Billings Parkway to George Williams Way – follow the signs). Military graveside will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Cloyde passed away peacefully at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, October 7, 2015.
Cloyde was born October 18, 1926 in Chanute, KS, the son of Elvin Theodore and Mary Jane (Hubbard) Taylor. Cloyde was the eldest son of 11 children.
He graduated from Southwestern Bible Institute in 1951 with a degree in Theology.
The U.S. Army drafted Cloyde at age 18 and he served as part of the first group of soldiers in Occupied Japan. From this experience, he realized people are all the same all over the world.
He married Betty Lou McBee on August 21, 1948 in Fowler, CO. They were blessed with two daughters. Cloyde’s family made their home in Eudora where he was a deacon at the Assembly of God Church for many years. He and Betty moved to Lawrence in 1973.
Cloyde worked at the Hercules Power Plant for three years. He retired from Farmland Industries CO-OP in 1986 at the age of 60. He loved children and became a crossing guard for Broken Arrow and Centennial Schools, retiring again at the age 81. Cloyde also helped his daughter in her licensed home daycare. At Calvary Temple and Clinton Parkway Assembly of God churches, he was known in the children’s department as Cleo the Clown and a ventriloquist with side-kick, Rodney Zero. Cloyde volunteered with a Prison Ministry and Lay Witness Missions for many years. He loved studying God’s word and sharing what he had learned.
His proudest moments were being involved in the lives of his grandchildren and he rarely missed a play, concert, sporting event or church activity. Cloyde taught each of his grandchildren how to ride a bike, throw a ball, drive a car and took them fishing. He was “grandpa” to all he encountered and even his license plate reflected
that name.
Cloyde was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Taylor; three sisters, Rosella, Velma, and Viola; three brothers, Floyd, Jackie Lee, and Merle; and son-in-law, Rex Williams.
He is survived by two daughters, Kathy Anderson (Chuck) of Topeka, KS, Judy Williams of Lawrence; five grandchildren, Amy Brooks (A.J.) of Lawrence, Tracy Anderson of Topeka, Gina Storm (Chuck) of Gardner, LaVonda Norcross (Jody) of Lawrence, Craig Williams (Christine) of Lawrence; five stepchildren, Randy Hartford of Lawrence, Doris Fullington (Eugene) of Florida, Carolyn Harrell (Jerry) of Meriden, Debbie Horowitz of Oskaloosa, and Mark Hartford of Denver; many great grandchildren as well as many great-great grandchildren.
Cloyde was a man who never pushed his Christian beliefs on anyone, yet, everyone who knew him saw his Godliness in action. He really lived what he believed. He loved well and was well loved. His big smile and Godly advice will be missed.
The family will greet friends from 7 – 9 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2015 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Family Church of Lawrence and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.