Kenneth H. Taylor

Kenneth Hedrick Taylor, Col. (Ret.), was born in Friendship, NC, on March 29 to parents, Violet and Oscar Robert Taylor. With the early death of his biological mother, he grew up with the loving embrace of his stepmother, Obie Taylor. Kenneth developed a strong work ethic throughout his life from work on the Taylor family farm. His strength of character and moral spiritual values became the benchmark from his parents as well. He graduated from Laughlin High School and received the Bachelor degree from North Carolina A&T University. He earned the Master of Science degree from Antioch University. Kenneth had a passion for The United States Air Force. His military training was immense. He completed navigation school, squadron school, pilot training, and Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort Belvoir, VA. He spent 23 years in active duty serving both overseas and domestically from Korea to finally settling at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, where he resided for the remainder of his life. While in Korea, he served as advisor to the Korean Air Force. Kenneth received numerous commendations throughout his military and civilian career. As civilian, he has served as Chief, Contracting Division, Aerospace Control and Strike Mission Area Group, Systems Acquisition, and varied other governmental operations. Kenneth is survived by his loving wife, Amie Taylor; daughter, Debra T. Kwaczala; stepdaughters, Bridget R. Shirley (Steve) of Racine, Wisconsin; Shelly A. Finn (John) of Rancho Cucamonga, California; and Lorna I. Revere of Racine, Wisconsin; sister, Peggy A. Miller (Frank) of Summerfield, NC; two granddaughters, Jordana Taylor and Jessica K. Crouch (Kerry), four step-grandchildren, Devin Hanson (Joseph) of La Crosse, WI, Jordan and Tanner Finn of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and Eric Shirley of Herndon, VA; two sisters-in-law, Lavolia Taylor of Oakridge, NC, and Arcola Taylor of Long Beach, CA. The Visitation for Kenneth Taylor will begin at 9:00am on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at St. Henry Catholic Church, 6696 Springboro Pike, Dayton, OH, followed by a Mass at 10:00am. A military burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Crossroads Hospice, Dayton, OH, or the American Cancer Society.