In accordance with his wishes, a Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at the Elks Lodge in Gilroy, on March 15, 2014, at 3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CHP Fund for Widows and Orphans through Grunnagle – Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito Street, Hollister, CA 95023
On February 19th, Bob Taylor passed away with his family by his side. Bob was born in San Francisco to Victor and Ione Taylor, an only child, but with a large extended family. They finally settled in Salinas where Bob attended high school and junior college. Not long after graduation, he entered the Army Air Force and studied radar technology until his discharge.
While in the military, he met a beautiful brunette at a USO dance in St. Louis. They eventually married and spent 58 wonderful years together. Bob and Ruth had two children and now have seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Everyone in Gilroy knew Bob Taylor. He was a very active member of the community. Bob was responsible for purchasing the land for the First Presbyterian Church and served on the building committee. He also served on the Gilroy City Counsel and was a candidate for mayor. Another of his favorite activities was as a member of the Gilroy Elks. He was the Exalted Ruler at the time the new lodge was built. Bob was a popular master of ceremonies and spent a lot of time with a microphone in his hand sharing jokes and fun at many gatherings. He served as a California Highway Patrolman for 32 years, and was very proud of his job and the CAHP organization.
Bob retired in 1977 and he and Ruth moved to Ridgemark Golf and Country Club in Hollister to spend their golden years. Bob was well known as a low handicap golfer. He began playing as a little boy of 7. Both his parents played and they spent many hours on the golf course. At one time, he and his mother and father all had a hole in one – on the same hole, in the same year at the Salinas Golf and Country Club. Bob has scored 14 Holes in One. He continued playing regularly after retirement until about a year ago.
In 2005, Ruth Taylor passed away. Shortly thereafter, Bob met his new companion, Vivian Winter, a Ridgemark member. On their first date they played in a Jack & Jill golf tournament. They married in 2006 and spent 8 wonderful years golfing, traveling and dancing.
Bob is survived by his wife, Vivian, his daughter Jan and husband Gary, son Larry and Bunny, Vivian’s children Brenda, Jeff, EJ and Dee, and all their grandchildren and cherished great-granddaughter, Emma Grace.
Bob Taylor was a true Irish gentleman with a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed by many.