Joseph Campbell Taylor

Joseph Campbell Taylor, 77, of Raytown, Missouri, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2013, with his family at his side.

Joe was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1935 to Ralph and Clarice Taylor. He grew up in Joplin and moved to Maryland after high school, where he met and married Mildred (Nicky) Wood and had three children. He attended Michigan State University on a marketing scholarship. He moved to Raytown in 1968 when he was promoted to district sales manager of the Plains Division for Household Retail Services. He retired as a regional vice president of sales for Household Retail Sales International after thirty years of service. Joe served in the US Army, CIC.

Joe loved old cars, camping, sailing, walking his dog to the local fast food restaurant for a snack, making home-cooked meals for his grand-pups, and puttering with his pond and garden. He religiously turned dirt in his garden for the resident robin, which followed him on his walks. Joe was a kind and gentle soul.

He is survived by his wife Mildred; son Joe Taylor, New York; daughter Lorrie Taylor (Sam Hunter), Cleveland, Ohio; daughter Judy Taylor, Overland Park, Kansas; sister Jackie Broadwater, Joplin, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive well wishers at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Raytown, Missouri, on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. with services following at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to:

Great Plains SPCA (formerly Animal Haven)

9800 W 67th Street

Merriam, Kansas 66203

or

City Union Mission

1100 E. 11th Street

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

or

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

9349 E. 65th Street

Raytown, Missouri 64133