HENRY TAYLOR
April 8, 1927 – June 1, 2022
Henry Taylor was born on April 8, 1927, in Harrison, Arkansas to Waymon Robert Taylor and Pearl Rose Graham. He passed away in Bakersfield, California on June 1, 2022 with his family by his side.
Henry lived in Harrison, Arkansas until the age of 14 years old when his dad died. Then he and his mother moved to St. Louis, Missouri to live with his brother and family. He lived there for two years until moving to Bakersfield with his mother. He attended and graduated from Bakersfield High School where his motto “Once A Driller, Always A Driller” remained. He graduated from BHS in 1945. He then joined the U.S. Navy and was a Victory Medal recipient while stationed in Hawaii during WWll. Upon his return to Bakersfield, he took a job with Green Frog Market and worked hard to become the manager for 43 years until his retirement in 1988. While also working for Green Frog Market, Henry went back to school to receive his Associates Degree at Bakersfield College. He always emphasized to his children the power of education and in return all three of his children are first generation college students.
Henry met the love of his life, Janie Kuykendall in 1947 and were married after 3 months of courtship. He always said he met his “deer” as they met on a deer hunting trip. Henry and Janie enjoyed their life together for 61 years until Janie's passing in 2008. He loved to spend time with his family on their many trips to see family in Arkansas and Missouri. The family also has many fond memories of camping and skiing in Bass Lake and Pinecrest Lake. He loved to fish and took many trips to Montana and Alaska. Janie and Henry also traveled together to many exciting places including Washington D.C., Nashville, the East Coast Fall Foliage, Branson, Charleston and Canada and attended the Olympics Games.
He accepted the Lord as a young boy at Church Camp at Hume Lake. Henry was a member of the First Christian Church since 1947 where his church family was instrumental in his faith and values. Henry loved playing baseball as the catcher for the First Christian Church team. He also was a loyal follower of the BC Renegades football team and almost never missed a game. He was a kind and gentle man who would give to others before himself. Henry's faith was unwavering and he served his Savior well. His philosophy was to always live by the word of the Bible.
Henry loved his family and was a devoted father. Surviving family members include: son David Taylor (Sharon) of Long Beach, CA., daughters Debbie Curtin (Jeff) of Clovis, CA. and Deanna Clarke of Bakersfield, CA.; grandchildren: Britney Yoder, Callie Taylor, Andrew Curtin, Cody Curtin, Hilary Pedro and Nathan Clarke and great-grandchildren: Wyatt Yoder, Riley Yoder, Clayton Curtin, and Gianna Pedro. He was also preceded in death by his 4 brothers and 4 sisters.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Kern River Transitional Care in Bakersfield who provided compassionate care above and beyond during his final months, as well as Brookdale Retirement Center for their love and care for the past 2 1/2 years.
Services will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 9:30 am at Greenlawn Cemetery at 3700 River Blvd. in Bakersfield, CA. A lunch reception will follow. All who loved Henry are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the ALS Association at: The ALS Association Golden West Chapter, P.O Box 7082, Woodland Hills, CA. 91365, www.alsgoldenwest.org in memory of his wife Janie Taylor.