Howard Taylor, 76, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2003, at his residence in Baker City. Howard was a long time resident of Haines.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at Mount Hope Cemetery, Baker City. Pastor Jon Privett of the First Church of the Nazarene will be officiating. Military Auspices by Baker City AMVETS post # 1874.
Visitation will be held today, Thursday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City. Following services a potluck reception will be held at the family home.
Howard was born April 11, 1927, in Baker City to Balam (Lon) Taylor and Dorcey (Higgins) Taylor. He went to grade school in Haines and graduated from North Powder in 1945. He was a very talented actor and often played the lead in many of the plays his Thespian club performed in school.
Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army. Howard was stationed in the Hawaiian Islands, where he served with the 138th Co. He was a SFC with the Military Police. he received two medals of Honor during his tour of duty. Howard received an honorable discharge in 1947 to return home to help his dad run the Haines ranch upon the death of his mother. He worked along side his dad until the sale of the family ranch in the 1960s. Howard then continued working as a ranch hand around Haines. He lived in Haines, at the family home, up until the last seven years of his live when he moved to Baker City to stay with his sister Debbie.
Howard was kind of a recluse in his later years, but he was always up on current events, reading everything from cereal boxes to the dictionary. To his family and those who knew him, he was as sharp as a tack! His family will miss the music he palyed on the organ, piano, and guitar (as recently as a couple of weeks ago.) In his younger years he sang too, he had the undiscovered voice of a western star.
He is survived by his sister, Della (Debbie) Clelland, several nieces and nephews, and several great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Lon and Dorcey, brothers Russell (World War II USS Scupin) and Loring (Jack), and sister Faye Longebrake.
Contributions may be made to the charity of choice in care of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR. 97814
Source: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, Dec. 4, 2003 page 4
Contributed by: Belva Ticknor