Bobby Taylor

Bobby Dean Taylor, age 84 of Red Oak, Texas, passed away at his home on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. He was born in Waxahachie, Texas May 16, 1938, to Loys Taylor and Pauline Huffstetler Odom.

Bobby spent his early years in Waxahachie and graduated from Waxahachie High School in 1956, the same year he joined the Texas Air National Guard. He thought he was joining the Air Force Reserve and mistakenly joined the guard. He often laughed and said it was the best mistake he ever made as it was the beginning of his military career.

Bobby met Sherry Andrews at the Lancaster swimming pool in 1958. They married May 25, 1960 and celebrated 62 years of marriage this year. Bobby and Sherry went on to have two children, Mike and Scott, who both adored their father.

From July 1958 until August1964, Bob was employed as a parachute rigger and repairmen. During that time two of the parachutes he serviced were used in emergency ejections and bailout by two young captains who later in their careers were both promoted to Major General. From August 1964 until retirement in May 1998 Bob was employed as a full-time enlisted aircrew member, flying in the KC-97 as a Boom Operator from 1964 to 1977 and the C-130 as a Loadmaster 1977 to 1998. Bob was promoted to flight instructor and flight evaluator status. He was also a veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, flying countless missions into Iraq. He retired with rank of Chief Master Sergeant in 1998 with 42 years of service. In November 2002, Bobby was inducted into the Texas Military Forces Hall of Honor in Austin Texas and into the Waxahachie High School Hall of Fame in October 2006.

Following his retirement in April 1998, Bobby spent his time living life with his wife Sherry. They spent their time traveling on cruises and enjoying an occasional card game or slot machine at their favorite casino.

In 2020 Bobby collaborated with Hank Smyth on “Bobby Taylor and the Boomers,” a history of his career.

Preceding him in death were father Loys Taylor and Eloise, mother Pauline Odom and Don; son James Michael Taylor and brother-in-law Gary Brooks.

Bobby is survived by his loving wife, Sherry Andrews Taylor, devoted son Richard Scott Taylor (Monica); Monica's son Jamie Bodiford (Carola); brothers Ron Taylor (Sherrie) and Haskell Mauldin (Ann); sisters Pam Taylor Brosius and Paula Booth (Ronnie); sister-in-law Karen Brooks and numerous nieces and nephews

Services will be held at Wayne Boze Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 15, 2022 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Interment will be held at the DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX. 75211 at 1 p.m. Monday, November 21. The escorted funeral procession will depart Wayne Boze Funeral home at noon. Please plan to arrive no later than 11:30 a.m. for lineup.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization Bobby felt strongly about or a charity of your choice.