Final Salute

Obituary of Robert E. Taylor
Junction City. Robert E. Taylor, a longtime resident of Junction City, OR, passed away March 24, 2023 at the age of 80 from cancer. He was preceded in death by his father Marion Taylor, mother Ruby Taylor, sister Donna Fox and brother Marion “Butch” Taylor. He is survived by his loving wife Evelyn, daughter Michelle Smith-Roderick (John), stepsons Rick and Ron Oaks, granddaughter Skyler Roderick and grandson Zander Roderick.
Robert grew up mostly in Junction City before he enlisted in the Navy as a Seabee. He spent time in many places, including Antarctica and Vietnam. He was a record-setting marksman and a seasoned survivalist and retired with a combined 27 years of service.
After returning home from Vietnam he worked as a bartender at Dickers Tavern where he met Evelyn Grady They soon discovered that they had many friends in common. After they married, they settled in Junction City where Robert worked at a few different jobs. He worked for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for over 20 years before retiring. His jobs ranged from road maintenance to licensed blaster to head onsite Equipment Manager of wildfires, working throughout the country for the United States Forest Service. During his retirement, he decided to return to the Navy in the reserves.
Robert enjoyed hunting and woodworking and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. He loved helping with their Boy Scouts projects, particularly the Pinewood Derby Cars, going to volleyball games or track meets and having competitions to see who could throw whatever they were getting rid of the farthest.
Funeral services to be held at Lane Memorial Funeral Home on Monday April 17 at 1:30pm, with a visitation at 1pm. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Memorial Funeral Home. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com

Published by Murphy-Musgrove Funeral Home – Junction City on Apr. 8, 2023.