Ed Taylor

Ed Taylor, 70, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away at his home Friday, January 6, 2017. A Celebration of Ed’s Life was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in November 2016. Ed will be cremated and his ashes scattered in his favorite places. Ed was born Friday, July 26, 1946, in Memphis, Tennessee, the only child of Charles Edward and Thelma Coy (Spight) Taylor. His family resided in Sardis, Mississippi. He graduated from North Panola High School with the class of 1964. He received an associate degree in civil technology from NW Mississippi Junior College. Ed was married to Paula Smith. They later divorced. Ed was united in marriage to Shirlene (Fanning) Riley December 28, 1985, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. She survives of their home. Other survivors include his son, Chris Taylor and wife Robin of Gainesville, Georgia; stepson, Trevor Riley of Colony; stepsister, Betty Crystal of Vaughn, Mississippi; six grandchildren, Trenton Riley, Andrew Taylor, Paige Riley, Allisun Riley, Tara Ferguson and Philip Estep; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Thelma Taylor; stepmother, Anne (Baby) Taylor; his beloved daughter, Angela Taylor; stepbrother and wife Charles and Ruby Lee Caruthers; and two uncles, Doug Taylor and Bill Taylor. Ed began working for Daniels International in 1975, coming to Kansas as Chief Field Engineer and Civil Superintendent overseeing the surveying and construction of Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant at Burlington in 1976. He worked for Daniels on construction projects in several different states. He earned his surveying license and decided he wanted to settle down in one place. He loved Kansas and the Ottawa area so much he returned to Ottawa in 1983, and began Taylor Surveying. He operated Taylor Surveying until 1997. Ed served as a Franklin County Commissioner for 12 years. From the age of seven, Ed became an avid hunter. He hunted in many states as-well-as numerous trips to Alaska, Canada, New Zealand, and four trips to Africa. Ed loved boating; water skiing, snow skiing, pickleball, traveling, and being outdoors. He was an avid sports follower with KU basketball, Royals baseball, and KC Chiefs football being at the top of his list, but his favorite thing to do was hunting of course. Ed was a member and elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He will be remembered as a generous, loving man who was always willing to help others. The family suggests memorial contributions to Westminster Presbyterian Church, University of Kansas Medical Center Cancer Research, or Cystic Fibrosis c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Ed’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com