Richard Guy “Bear” Taylor was born Jan. 9, 1958 to Homer and Anna Taylor and passed away Sept. 8, 2023.
Richard was the first baby born in the new White County Hospital, in 1958, located on Gracey Street, in Sparta, and his mother was the first patient.
Richard worked for Savage Lumber Company for many years and owned his own one-man sawmill for several years and drove an 18- wheeler for a short time. He loved to paint landscapes. Richard also loved woodworking, fishing, and setting up at flea markets and craft shows, collecting knives, and anything that had to do with bears. He loved dogs, and at one time he had nine.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Linda Taylor, Debra Taylor; father, Homer Taylor; mother, Anna Joy Brannon; great-grandparents, Jack and Minnie Guy; and great-grandson, Jaxon.
He is survived by his son, Brannon Taylor; sister, Sandra (Howard) Vance; stepdaughter, Shantaye Cannon; stepsons, Andy Mahl, David Simmons, Darrell Simmons; five grandchildren, Joseph (Cora) Taylor, Ricky (Lauryn) Miller, Shayla Taylor, Seth Taylor, Brock Myers; six great-grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; uncle, Freddie Guy; special friend, William O’Connor; and numerous family members and friends.
A special thank you to all the nurses and doctors at Cookeville Regional Medical Center intensive care unit for their care of Richard and his family, especially nurse Jordan and nurse Alyssa Rodgers for their extra care.
Memorial donations may be made to Frasier’s Chapel Cemetery Fund (contact Roger Wilson.)
Funeral service was 2 p.m., Sept. 11, 2023, at Thurman Funeral Home, with burial in Fraser’s Chapel Cemetery. Sandra Vance officiated.
Thurman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
