Buddy Lee Taylor

Buddy Lee Taylor, 83, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Graveside services will be held 2:30 pm, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, Kansas.

Family will greet friends from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa.

He was born Monday, July 15, 1940, in Rich Hill, Missouri to William “Stub” and Erva Taylor.

In 1943, the family moved to a farm near Lane, Kansas. He graduated from Lane High School in 1958.

Buddy joined the Air Force in 1958, stationed in Albany, Georgia until 1960. He then transferred to Forbes in Topeka, Kansas, in 1960. After discharge in 1963, he worked for a private contractor doing maintenance for base housing.

On October 2, 1960, he married Mary Smith in Rossville. They later divorced.

In the late 1960s, he went to work at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Topeka. While living in Rossville, he enjoyed many civic projects and activities. Buddy moved to Ottawa in 1983 and went into business with his brother at Taylor Construction and they formed Taylor Brothers Construction. In 1986, they bought Andy’s siding and Bud ran that until 1993 when they sold Andy’s and purchased Rent Masters. Bud continued to run that until his retirement in 2002.

On May 23, 1986, he married Dianna Carey in Ottawa.

They enjoyed traveling and he liked the fact that they had been in every state including Alaska and Hawaii. They spent ten years being snowbirds going to Texas for the winter. There they learned pen turning and making wooden bowls. He attended many craft shows and also made many Christmas and birthday gifts. In summers, they enjoyed camping with friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters Fay Taylor, Alice Mason, Blanche Lowe, Vera Shurtz, Betty Hamblin, and Rita Taylor; six brothers Dale Taylor, Garland Taylor, Carl Taylor, Darroll Taylor, Roy Taylor and Ray Taylor; and one step son Vance Carey.

Survivors include wife Dianna; two sons Jeff Taylor (Darla) of Topeka and Buddy Taylor, Jr. (Beth Martinez) of Ozawkie; daughter Martha “Marti” Clark (Chris Wichman) of Topeka; step son Bret Carey (Nicole) of Pomona; step daughter-in- law Stacey Carey of Ottawa; brother Ralph Taylor of Ottawa; sister Wanda Lynch of Cincinnati, Ohio; ten grandchildren; and fifteen great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Douglas County Visiting Nurses c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.