Kenneth F. Taylor, 71, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord, on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Taylor, a son of the late Elwood R. and Gladys Winters Taylor, was born in Carter County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Clifford Taylor, who lost his life fighting in the Vietnam War, and a sister, Charlotte Morton.
Mr. Taylor was a 1963 graduate of Elizabethton High School and a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving two tours in Vietnam, receiving two Bronze Stars, the National Service Defense Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Ribbon with two Silver Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He also served three years with the Tennessee National Guard. He worked at Ed Morse Saturn-Cadillac in Tampa, Fla., from 1997-2007, then at Bill Gatton Mountain Empire Saturn where he worked in sales until General Motors discontinued the Saturn Brand and he retired. He attended Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church and was also a member of the Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center. He also really loved his pets, Sam and Patches, enjoyed fishing, NASCAR and football.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 33 years, Barbara A. Pierce Taylor, of the home; a brother, Conway (Doug) Taylor, Johnson City; four sisters, Vickie Barry and her husband, Wayne, Mountain City, Diane Rasnick and her husband, W.C., Elizabethton, Frances Sluder and her husband, Fred, Elizabethton, and Jenny Rosenbaum, Ringold, Ga.; and his special friends, Kent and Lisa Gunderson, Nashville, Tenn. Several nieces and nephews, including a special great-niece, Makenzie Miller, also survive.
A graveside service for Mr. Taylor will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, March 24, in the Mountain Home National Cemetery with Rev. Mark Potter and Rev. Randy Johnson officiating. Active pallbearers will be Jeff Williams, Terry Barnett, Joe Caruso and John Barker. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Those wishing to attend may join the family at the funeral home at 9 a.m. Friday to go in procession to the cemetery. Friends may also call at the home at anytime. The family would like to express a heartfelt and sincere thank you to the doctors and nurses at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, and especially Dr. Tammy Taylor, for the care and compassion given to Mr. Taylor and the family, and to the members of Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the American Cancer Society, 871 N. Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, TN 37909, or to your local Animal Shelter.
Mr. Taylor and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.