Milton John Taylor, Sr. of Columbus, Ohio and Naples, Florida died January 30, 2012. He was born on December 25, 1926 in Lakeland, Florida to James and Lenore Taylor.
Milton is survived by his six children: Catharine Bailey, Martin Taylor, Jane Gartrell, Ellen Allen, Barbara Cardenas, and Milton Taylor, Jr. Mr. Taylor also had ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren; as well as a sister, Jane Von Thron; several nieces and nephews; and a devoted friend, Mary Stine. He will be deeply missed by all of his family as well as the many close friends that he was so fortunate to have.
Milton attended Columbus Academy, Class of 1945 and he served in the U.S. Navy. After the Navy he graduated from Ohio University where he also played football and served as fraternity president. He was always especially grateful for these academic opportunities and was involved throughout his lifetime with both schools. Milt was inducted in the Columbus Academy Athletic Hall of Fame and was later recognized as a distinguished alumnus. He served on their board and became a major benefactor. Likewise at Ohio University he was admitted to the Bobcat Hall of Fame and was a member of the Board of Trustees and a financial contributor for many years.
In 1960 Milt undertook what was to become his lifelong ambition when he bought his first business, a Chevrolet dealership in Lancaster, Ohio. He devoted tireless energy and enthusiasm to the enterprise and was richly rewarded with many years of having a successful business as well as so many wonderful relationships with employees and customers. He believed in trying to give back to the community that so enriched his life and was involved in raising the money for Fulton Field at Lancaster High School as well as ongoing contribution drives for the Fairfield County United Way. Among many other civic efforts, he was instrumental in getting together the building fund that allowed the start up of the Ohio University-Lancaster branch.
His family remembers mostly his strong faith in God and his tremendous love for people. There will be a memorial service at St. John's Episcopal Church at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012. The family will receive friends from 2:30 to 4:30 at the church.
They would ask that in lieu of flowers, a contribution to Fairfield County Foundation be offered in his memory. Checks can be made payable to: Fairfield County Foundation, P. O. Box 159, Lancaster, OH 43130.