70th Birthday Celebration 2009.

Robert Donald Taylor Jr. was born on September 25, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the first born child of Robert Donald Taylor Sr. and Dollora Hill Taylor. Shortly after the birth of his first born son, Robert Sr. decided a move to Los Angeles would be best for raising his family. Being a family of little means, he hopped trains all the way west; sending for his family a little while later. The Taylor family planted their roots In Los Angeles where the rest of their children were born; Katheryn Mae, Alvin Leon, Virginia Joanne, William James, Calvin Maurice, and later Sheila joined the family. In February of 1942, the Taylor family accepted the Seventh-day Adventist message, including young Robert Jr. and they were baptized. The family made the Wadsworth SDA Church their church home. Along with their new found religious beliefs and life style changes came the commitment to have all of their children receive a Christian education.

Robert Jr. attended and graduated from Los Angeles Junior Academy in 1955 as class president. Only 16 years old, he left for Oakwood College in the fall of 1955 where he attended for just one year. It was concern for his sibling’s Christian education that brought him home for five years, working busily to help pay for their tuition. Driven by an innate passion for education and determination, Robert eventually enrolled at Pacific Union College, even hitchhiking as needed from Los Angeles to Napa as he traveled back and forth from home to school. Finally, on June 3, 1963, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion, graduating with his brother Alvin Leon. He continued his education and a received a Master’s from Andrews University a year later. 
While a student at PUC Robert Jr. mustered enough charm and whit to woo the astounding Ione Owens, the most beautiful woman on campus, likely on any campus ever. A testament to his brilliant persistence, they were wed just hours after his college graduation on that fateful day in June. On the heels of his graduation from seminary, the birth of Moria Daneen marked the beginning of their Taylor clan. Soon to follow were Janis Monee, Lisa Anna Jean, and Robert Donald Taylor, III. For eleven years their home was made in California until 1974 when Robert answered the call to work for the South Central Conference. Robert Jr. took over pastoring four churches in Alabama, eventually landing in Lexington, Kentucky where the family remained until returning to California in 1979.

A man of multiple talents, Robert could not help but wear many hats. Exceeding beyond the traditional role of pastor, he was also a teacher, youth leader, choir director, band leader, orchestra director, organist, pianist, soloist, pathfinder leader, evangelist, music arranger, Christian radio host, and genealogist. Consumed with vision, he worked tirelessly from the early morning hours until late at night ministering to anyone who had need. His work has proven to be lasting as three churches he planted in Alabama still continue to thrive to this day. Beyond churches, there were numerous choirs, quartets, trios, choruses, bands, and ensembles that were started by Robert. Driven by a love for people, music, and education, he has worked to improve and grow a number of church schools and teach many a student piano and varied musical instruments as well as singing, whether in a group or solo. Up until the end, Robert used his God-given talents to bless others. He even had seven students signed up to receive piano lessons in the senior apartment complex and performed one last time nine days before his passing. His talent for research in the area of genealogy allowed him to work in a position as genealogy researcher in a local public library in Tennessee. Robert will be remembered by many different people for many different reasons because of his many talents and his willingness to use those talents to the glory of God. This is an example we can all learn from.