Robert Taylor

Holding his loving wife of 44 years in his arms, Robert Taylor, 73, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday morning at their home in McHenry. Known as "Bird Dog" by many, Robert was born January 17, 1946 in Wiggins, the youngest of three children to Rollo & Marie (Strahan) Taylor. He grew up in Perk a very athletic young man that loved the outdoors and animals. In school, he played football, baseball, and basketball, earning letters in all 3 sports. Following high school Robert attended Perk Jr. College where he played basketball as well, and raced motorcycles with Masterlinks in his spare time. Robert joined the MS Army National Guard in 1967, and his unit was on the Gulf Coast during Hurricane Camille assisting in the aftermath. He worked for International Paper Co. cruising timber and loved to bird hunt and fish. In April of 1973, while playing softball in McHenry, a young lady caught his eye that was there to play also. After learning who Debbie Taylor was, Robert courted her and convinced her to marry him in January of 1975, even though he couldn't shift the gears in her car without grinding them. They spent their lives together, loving one another without ever having a single argument. Robert was confined to a wheelchair in 1973, but truly never lost a single step in life. He worked as a gunsmith at Otasco in Wiggins and after the shop closed, Robert continued to work on countless guns for people over the years. Working in the scale house for many years, Robert finished his career with Miller Timber. Robert was an active member of the Stone County Bassmasters and fished in many tournaments with the club. He was a born-again Christian and faithful member of McHenry First Baptist Church, serving as treasurer for 32 years. Robert enjoyed woodwork and making crafts, his cows, checking Craigslist for sale items, and watching cattle auctions on his computer. He will be remembered as a man of strong faith and determination. A loving husband, brother, uncle and so much more, he will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded by his parents, Rollo & Marie, and a brother, Lee Kent Taylor; brother-in-law Bobby Favre, and his mother and father in-law, Willard E. & Bobbie Jean Fore, Sr. Left to cherish his memories are: his loving wife Debbie Taylor; his sister, Frances Lamara Favre; his four-pawed son, "Jake" and a field full of cows, along with numerous nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 9:00 PM Friday evening, April 12th at McHenry First Baptist Church, and from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Saturday morning. The funeral service will begin at 11:00, with interment to follow at Woodlawn Park Cemetery in Wiggins. The family wishes to thank Denise, Kayla, and J.P. for their loving care for Robert over the past few months. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Taylor family in their time of need, and asks that you keep Deb and all of them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.