Ron Taylor Obituary

Dr. Ronald Craig Taylor died Saturday August 7, 2010, in his home. He was 78 years of age. He was born to Andrew Lavern Taylor and Agnes June TenEyck on June 2, 1932, in Seattle, Wash.

Ronald attended school on Whidbey Island and graduated from Coupeville High School in 1950. He always said that the best decision he ever made was when he married Nancy Louise Morris in Richland, Washington, in 1953, his wife of 46 years. He completed basic training at Ford Ord and was assigned to the United States Army Signal Corps as part of the Alaska Communications System. He was stationed at the federal building in Seattle, Wash. and Anchorage, Alaska, as well as the Curry Repeater Station on the Alaska Railroad.

Ron earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Central Washington and a doctorate degree from the University of Oregon. He fully retired after 33 years from Southern Oregon University as an professor of emeritus psychology. Dr. Taylor was a board licensed psychologist and served as consultant and evaluator for several federal, state and private agencies. In addition to teaching at Southern Oregon University, Ron was invited to teach courses, summers and on leaves, at several universities in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. He was also a consultant to several national, state and local accrediting and evaluation agencies including educational testing services, veterans administration, social security disabilities, vocational rehabilitation division, etc.

Dr. Taylor helped to establish the Southern Oregon Head Start program and the Southern Oregon Child Study and Treatment Center. He was particularly gratified when his funding proposals were successful in the establishment and subsequent operation of the Alaskan Parent Child Centers in the villages of Hoonah and Kotzebue, Alaska. These centers were an experimental downward extension of Head Start-type services for younger children and their parents.

A "cradle to grave" Catholic who struggled with religion all of his life, he was ultimately a deeply spiritual person. He hoped God would bless all those who helped him think more clearly on the topic. Dr. Taylor was a loving husband and father. He felt he could receive no finer tribute to his life than to have someone say of him that he gave everything for the love of his family.

Ron was preceded in death by wife, Nancy; son, Peter. Survivors include brother, Thomas; sons, Stephen, Matthew and Scott; daughters, Kathleen, Marjie, Rebecca and Jennifer; 19 grandchildren and 8 grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to a special education/ autism program of your choice. A private graveside service was held at Scenic Hills Memorial Park in Ashland. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Litwiller Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.

Source: Medford Mail Tribune