Elmer LeRoy Taylor's Obituary
Elmer "El" LeRoy Taylor left us, unexpectedly, the morning of Thursday, January 26, 2023. He had endured a lengthy illness but every ounce of his spirit was determined to fight and to get through it. He had just celebrated his 87th birthday five days prior.
El originally hailed from Southeastern Missouri, near Dexter. Most recently, he was a long-time Estero, Florida resident, but spent much of his earlier life living, traveling and working all over the United States. He was a farmer, a jockey, a horseman, a Marine, an engineer, and a lawyer, but more importantly he was a son, a grandson, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, an uncle, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a faithful companion, a neighbor and friendly to all who met him.
As a child, he grew up, the eldest son out of nine children born to Herman Elmer Taylor, a sharecropper, and Ruby Magdalene La*****, who worked hard trying to survive the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl that brought drought and hardship to the midwest in the 1930’s. In his early teens, he travelled the race track circuit as an apprenticed jockey and horseman. Shortly after his 18th birthday he enlisted as a Marine during the Korean Conflict. Eventually, he returned to the track and worked under the famous Dr. William Reed, one of the premier equine vets of his time, as his vet tech. He also bought and trained horses during this time. This is where he met his beautiful Ginny Belle who he later married while they were both working at the Saratoga Springs race track in New York.
Later, he built upon his military education, and became a computer engineer, climbing the ranks of IBM and transferring his skills to other organizations, throughout the years. He was brilliant and excellent at what he did, having contributed to some of the nation's most important accomplishments, including launches in the early days of NASA's space programs.
Elmer valued education and believed everyone could better themselves, even through the simple act of improving their vocabulary. Because of this passion he was a lifelong student, having taken classes at many of the nation's finest institutions. He was a degree-seeking student at the University of Miami, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and was a graduate of UCLA Law School and a member of the California Bar Association. He specialized in equine law. He was also an educator, having directed several programs in the field of computer engineering. He believed everyone had an opportunity to make something beautiful out of their lives, if they just believed they could.
He was predeceased in death by his wife and companion of nearly 60 years, Virginia B. Taylor and his son, Mark, as well as many other loved ones. He is also survived by many close and extended family members and friends, including three brothers, two daughters, multiple grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins and his faithful companion, Marilyn Falkner, of Bonita Springs, Florida, who God sent to walk with him, his final miles home.
Those who knew "El" will miss him, as well as his wit, intense sense of curiosity and phenomenal mind. He was an amazing man who accomplished a lot in his lifetime. His opinions were strong and he never missed an opportunity to share a hardy laugh with anyone who had the time for a quick joke. He was willing to lend a hand to all in need. He was loved by family and friends near and far, and carried himself with honor, dignity and integrity.
Thank you for remembering who he was.
The family would be honored if you'd share any fond memories, pictures or stories with them.
The immediate family and Marilyn would also like to extend their thanks and appreciation to all the medical professionals who treated Elmer over the years and genuinely cared for and improved his quality of life. You helped extend the time we had with him and you made his life, and ours, a little richer in the process.
A Memorial Service with military honors is set for February 17, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Light Church, 19680 Cypress View Drive, Ft Myers, FL 33967 with a fellowship luncheon to follow. The church phone number is 239 267-7088. All are welcome.
A graveside service with inurnment will be held 1:30 PM, Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, which local family will be providing for his services, if you are so inclined, please feel free to make a donation in Elmer's honor to the family directly or through the family’s Go Fund Me which will be used to purchase a memorial stone at the National Museum of Horse Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga, New York.
Any money left over will be donated in his honor to an organization(s) he would have supported.
The go fund me link: https://gofund.me/e34cf7bb
To share memories, stories and photos or to notify the family of any other donations made on his behalf, please feel free to use the email: [email protected]
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