Robert Frank Taylor

On the morning of Aug. 12, 2013, Bob passed away after months of suffering with cancer. “With family by his side, we said our goodbyes at 6:44 a.m. He was 77 years old.” Robert “Bob” Frank Taylor was born on May 20, 1936, in Cutbank, Mont., to Claude and Nellie Taylor. He grew up working on the family farm throughout his childhood years in Oregon. Bob went to serve in the U.S. Army at the age of 17. He was discharged with a disability leave on June 18, 1956. He then met Ethel Illene Hoselton and they were married on Dec. 30, 1957. They resided in Lawndale, Calif., and started their family. Bob worked at Yankee Doodle Realty. After a few years, they built their home and over the next nine years had four children. They stayed in Los Angeles for 21 years, then moved to Montague in 1977. Bob opened and operated his own businesses: Grenada Trading Post, Town and Country Realty and the Opera House Apartments. After a few years, he retired. He loved mining, hunting every year and many other outdoor activities. Friday and Saturday mornings were dedicated to his yard sales, to find the next best thing. Buying things to resell was his retirement job. He enjoyed collecting a variety of things and would spend hours in his hobby shed listening to Elvis records and re-loading shells. Animals are what he loved most – 300 rabbits, geese, peacocks, you name it – he had it! Bob loved his family and friends. Anytime he could visit or have company he enjoyed it all. Now, he wasn’t much of a holiday person, “Papa” was the Grinch at Christmas, and he always said, “We’re skipping that this year!” As his granddaughter, and I’m now 26, we never missed a Christmas! He always made sure that he could do for everyone, and help anyone that he could, or put a smile on their face. Bob loved to take trips with his wife. They would plan weeks of vacations and where to sight-see. Their last trip was to Yosemite National Park, and down through Oklahoma to visit family. The one trip Bob didn’t get to take was to the rodeo in Calgary, Canada. Bob is survived by his brother, William “Skip” Gillespie, and wife Peggy of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; sisters Pat Gillespie of Billings, Mont., and Virginia Williams of Reno, Nev.; sister-in-law Josephine “Shirley” Thompson of New Berlin, Wis.; daughters Rena DuBose and her husband, Jack DuBose, of Yreka, and Bobbie Jo Taylor of Reno, Nev.; son, Robert Frank Taylor II, of Big Springs; grandchildren Nadia Ahmad and her two sons Briley and Bret of Yreka; Michael Engell and his two daughters Alyssa and Hailey of Reno, Nev.; Chrystal Engell and her two daughters Trinity and McKaela of Reno, Nev.; Sonyua Lemos and Quentin DuBose of Yreka; and Melissa Taylor of Stockton, Calif.; and many other extended family members and friends over the years. Last is Bob and his wife’s pride and joy of everyday life – their Boston bull terriers Butch and Bubbles. Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Ethel Illene; his son, Charles Robert Taylor; brother, James “Sonny” Thompson; mother, Nellie Taylor; and father, Claude Taylor. “You will be missed by all as a dad, brother, friend and our papa. You meant the world to each and every person that knew you and who was a part of your life. There wasn’t anything Papa didn’t know, but if he didn’t, he figured it out!” In memory of Bob and Ethel, the memorial services for all family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. on Aug. 19, 2013, at Girdner Funeral Chapel. A military ceremony will follow at the Fort Jones Cemetery. Afterward, a gathering for family and friends will be held at the First Southern Baptist Church of Yreka at 921 S. Oregon St. “There will be a potluck dinner, so please feel free to bring a dish and join us in this celebration of their lives. Special thanks to Dr. DeRouchey, George Bliss, Madrone Hospice and their nurses for all their help and hospitality.” Family condolences may be sent to pbbnadia@ yahoo.com or to the Taylor family, 432 Dewitt Park Road, Yreka, CA 96097.

Robert Frank Taylor

May 20, 1936 - August 12, 2013