Orrie Lester Taylor’s life began in Samantha, Alabama, on June 28, 1931. He was the eighth of ten children born to the late Nathan and Frankie Taylor.
Orrie Taylor grew up on a farm performing planting and harvesting of agricultural crops and taking care of the animals. His early childhood and religious training took place at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Samantha, Alabama, (Tuscaloosa County). It was here at Ebenezer Baptist Church where he accepted the Lord at a young age.
He attended Ebenezer Elementary School, Holly Springs Junior High and graduated from Tuscaloosa County Training High School. He continued his undergraduate education at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama then transferred to Alabama A&M University. In 1954 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, his career included positions as an Administrative Superintendent, Stenographic Technician, and Armed Forces Courier. While in the military he re-entered college and earned his Bachelor Degree in History and Master Degree in International Relationships. Orrie also received his Real Estate License from the state of California. He served proudly for 30 years retiring from Castle Air Force Base Atwater, California as a CMSgt in 1984.
Orrie was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church in Merced, CA and continued his worship and devoted membership at First Presbyterian Church in Oceanside, CA. His community service included Secretary for the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the National Association for Uniformed Service, a board member for Merced Senior Citizen Community Center. Orrie was a frequent letter writer to Letters to the Editor in the Merced Sun-Star. He was a regular attendee at “Soldiers Who Salsa” at the Veterans Clinic in Oceanside, CA.
Orrie was called by God on a cool Wednesday morning on November 29, 2017. He was preceded in death by his two parents, three sisters, Cleo McGhee, Frankie Taylor Thomas and Elnoris Taylor Crummie; four brothers, Willis Otis Taylor, Ernest Taylor, John DeeOscar Taylor and Frederick Robert Taylor. To cherish his memory, he leaves a loving and devoted wife, Angeles of 53 years, four children, two from a previous union, Robert D. Taylor (Cynthia), Bridget Taylor; and two between he and Angie, Nathan A. Taylor (Ginni), Sabrina A. Taylor (Louis); three grandchildren, Sierra N., Sydney S., Derek Taylor; and one great grandson, Matteo Taylor. Other survivors are two sisters, Inez McIntosh, Oceanside, California, and Annette Pritchett, Chicago, Illinois; a myriad of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and a loving church family.
Orrie’s hobbies included reading, writing, gardening, dancing, cooking, and photography, traveling the world and watching Dancing with the Stars. His humor and gentle kindness was always present.