Michael Earl Taylor

Michael Earl Taylor, age 64 years, of Springfield, Mo., died Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at his home surrounded by family. He was born on August 12, 1950, in Kirksville, Mo., the son of Lloyd and Marjorie (Skinner) Taylor. He was married on May 19, 1972, at Zion Lutheran Church in Moberly, Mo. to Mary Samp. He was a 1968 graduate of Cairo High School in Cairo, Mo. He graduated in 1972 from the University of Missouri Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology) with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1987 he graduated from UMR with a Master's Degree in Engineering Management, and in 2002 he received an Honorary Degree in Nuclear Engineering from UMR. Following graduation from UMR in 1972, Mike attended Naval Officer's Candidate School in Newport, R.I., and was commissioned an officer in November, 1972. During 1973 he attended Naval nuclear officer training in California and Idaho. From 1974-1979 he served on the nuclear submarines USS Skate and USS Groton, both stationed in New London, Conn. From 1979-2003, Mike was employed by Union Electric (now Ameren MO) at the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant, where he held several management positions. Following retirement from Ameren MO, he was employed from 2003-2012 at the Missouri Public Service Commission. He was a member of the American Nuclear Society. Mike was a lifelong, enthusiastic reader. He was interested in various subjects, particularly railroad history. He especially enjoyed watching trains. He enjoyed gardening, landscaping and watching wildlife. He found special joy in being with his grandchildren and was always ready for a challenging game of Crazy Eights, Old Maid, or Go Fish. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's piano recitals and watching their soccer matches, T-ball games and swim team practices. Survivors include: his wife, Mary; two sons, John (wife Meredith) of Springfield and David (wife Daphne) of Willard; his sister, Pam Riedel (husband George) of Columbia; and four grandchildren, Garrison, Torsten, Nora and Hope. He was preceded in death by his parents; his paternal grandparents, Jack and Daisy (Reynolds) Taylor; his maternal grandparents, Aubrey Earl and Jewel (Haynes) Skinner; and his step-grandmother, Vivian (Littrell) Skinner. The family would like to thank Tim Rieke, DDS, James Weiss, MD, and Tamara Hopkins, MD of Jefferson City; Ravi Vij, MD, Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis; and Robert Ellis, MD, Springfield, for the compassionate care they gave Mike over the past five years. Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 4:30 until 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 7, 2015 with an additional visitation immediately following his memorial service. A memorial service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 7, 2015 in the Freeman Chapel with Pastor David Fitzgerald officiating. Graveside services and interment with military honors will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville, Mo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Samaritan Center, the Jefferson City Animal Shelter, or River City Habitat for Humanity. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com