Charles Taylor (Veteran)

Charles Emery Taylor, 88, of California, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at California Care Center. He was born on September 11, 1921, in Fairfax, Mo., the son of William D. and Vida E. (Combs) Taylor, both of whom preceded him in death. He was married on June 7, 1942, at Indiantown Gap, Pa. to Loretta James, who also preceded him in death in 1988. On March 16, 1991, in California, Mo. at Main Street Baptist Church, he was married to Genevieve Holloway, who survives of the home. He was of the Baptist faith. He was a veteran of World War II, serving for three years in the U.S. Army Infantry. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter Medal, and three Bronze Stars. After the war, he worked for the Missouri State Highway Dept. for 30 years, retiring in 1980. Survivors include three sons, Robert L. Taylor of California, Mo., Charles E. Taylor Jr., of Blue Springs, Mo., and Ronald D. Taylor of San Antonio, Texas; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; one brother and one sister. He was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at Main Street Baptist Church in California, Mo. Burial with full military honors will be on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. in Greenhill Cemetery in Rock Port, Mo. Officiating will be Rev. Ken Mathes and Rev. Eddie Schoeneberg. Visitation will be on Friday, April 16, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services in California. Memorials are suggested to Main Street Baptist Church Building Fund, 303 W. Main, California, MO 65018. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.