Richard Earl Taylor

Richard Earl "Dick" Taylor passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at the age of 98. He was born in Akron, Ohio to Earnest Murdoch Taylor and Carol Louise Taylor. Richard completed two years of college at the University of Akron before going to work for the Firestone Park Bank in 1937 where he remained until being drafted into the Army in February 1941. Richard completed his infantry training at Camp Shelby and qualified to become an aviation cadet and logged over 50 hours toward pilot status which was a lifelong ambition. However as fate would have it, he was reassigned back to the Infantry and was transferred to the China-Burma-India theatre. Richard went around the world serving his country throughout WW II. Later, Richard became classification specialist and was transferred back to the Air Force. Richard rose in rank to Sergeant and was honorably discharged in January 1946. Richard married Ruth Ellen Bixler of Akron, Ohio and moved to Biloxi, Mississippi in 1947. Richard's father, grandfather and many uncles were from Vancleave, Mississippi. Richard was an entrepreneur and opened a famous gulf coast eatery, Ferdinand's Drive-In on west beach Biloxi in 1948. Richard also opened Ferdinand's Waffle Shop on Howard Avenue in Biloxi These two restaurants were successfully operated until 1962 when he had the opportunity to become a Civil Service employee at Keesler Air Force Base, where he retired in 1982. Richard was preceded in death by his first wife Ruth in 1979. Richard and Ruth are survived by their daughter Judith Lynn (Roger) Folk; son Jeffrey Earl Taylor and his granddaughter Meghan Renee Taylor and grandson Ryan Earl Taylor. Richard was blessed and found a new love in Kathryn Janet Kissel and they were married in 1985 creating an extended family of a total of three sons and two daughters, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. This large loving family includes Kathryn's children, Linda Kissel-Boney and her two daughters Shay (Stephen) Kerber and their two sons Stanton and Syler; and Sarah Boney (Paul) Burkes. Victor (Sharon) Kissel and their daughter Rochelle Kissel (Jared) Diaz and their new daughter Avalynn Diaz; and Matthew (Pam) Kissel and their two children Kevin (Holly) Kissel and Lauren Kissel. Richard was a man of many talents; a carpenter,electrician, plumber, HVAC tech, mathematician, restaurateur, little league baseball coach, boat builder, homebuilder and square dancer. He was a past president of the Reveler's carnival organization in the 1950's. He had many friends, he was a golfer and he was a Veteran and a Patriot. He was a blood donor and had reached the five gallon status. He was a father, a mentor and someone that was steadfast in his beliefs about freedom and liberty and exercised the privilege to vote in every election. He was saved and is a member of the Parkway Baptist Church in Woolmarket. He loved his family and delighted in his children, grand children and great grand children. He dearly loved his wife Kathryn and was always a provider and supporter of his family. He was from the greatest generation in America and he will be sadly missed. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, March 2, 2015, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 2511 Pass Road, in Biloxi where friends may visit one hour before service time. A gathering of friends and family will be held across the street at the Donald Snyder Community Center from 12 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. Burial will be held at the Biloxi National Cemetery at 2:30 P.M. with military honors. In lieu of floral arrangements, donations may be made to the building fund of, Parkway Baptist Church, P. O. Box 7206, D'Iberville, MS 39540.