L. Rhea Taylor, Jr., 89, of Bowling Green died April 21, 2018. He was born August 30, 1928 in Louisville, KY, son of L. Rhea Taylor, Sr. and Marcotte Ray Taylor. He was a 1946 graduate of Bowling Green High School and following a tour in active duty, graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1952 with a BA degree in Economics. While attending Western, he was active in Military Science, was an ROTC Cadet Officer and Drill Master in Pershing Rifles Honor Society which competed at serveral Universities and lettered on Western’s ROTC rifle team. He joined the Kentucky National Guard in 1947, serving 20 plus active years until his retirement into the inactive reserve. He commanded HQS Co 3rd/123rd Armor, the local National Guard unit during the Berlin Wall crisis call up in 1960-1961 and upon their return from active duty until his retirement in 1967.
Rhea spent 45 years in the general insurance business, and in 1980 merged L. Rhea Taylor Insurance Agency into Blake-Hart-Taylor and Wiseman Insurance Agency, Inc. and was President until his retirement in 1991. He twice served as President of the Bowling Green-Warren County Association of Insurance Agents, was a past President of Bowling Green Lodge #356, Loyal Order of Moose, Moose of the Year, and past State President. He was a member of the local lodge ritual team which won state championship seven years in a row and Rhea place third nationally. He was Herder (secretary) of the Kentucky Legion of the Moose for several years. He enjoyed hunting, camping and gardening. He was an active supporter of Bowling Green High School having served on several committees and was a past President of the Alumni Association. He was a member of American Legion Post #23 and the National Rifle Association. Rhea was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and a former usher, Eucharistic Minister, Lector and Lector Chairman in the Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pearl Hayter Taylor, seven children, Bonnie Hayter Woodward (Tom) of Franklin, TN, Marki Taylor Maitz (Frank) of Bowling Green, Bob D. Hayter (Susan) of Bowling Green, L. Rhea Taylor III (Emily) of Collierville, TN, Terry Hayter Muth of Atlanta, Ga, Michael S. Hayter (Rebecca) of Edmond, OK and Susie Taylor of Hendersonville, TN, 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm at J. C. Kirby and Son. Lovers Lane Chapel and Prayer Services will be 6:30 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Visitation on Wednesday, 9:00 am until 11:00 am at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be, 11:00 am Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.