Obituary of Glen Taylor

Glen Taylor died Friday July 22 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa, following a lengthy illness. A humble man with a great sense of humor, Glen led a highly-principled life, driven by three passions: family, farming, and the fantastic Boston Red Sox. Born June 27, 1922, to Robert Burns Taylor and Verna Wilson Taylor, he and his five brothers and sisters grew up on a farm near Dickens, Iowa, during the depths of the Depression. This experience would shape the rest of his life. Glen had a life-long love for baseball. He pitched for the Okoboji School baseball team, including his sophomore season when the team from the country school qualified for the state tournament. He was a dedicated Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed watching their games on TV, although they often disappointed him. In 1945 he married Marylee Place, his high school sweetheart, and they remained together until Marylee's passing in 2008. Following her death -- when asked how long he and Marylee had been married -- Glen's immediate answer was "not long enough." Glen and Marylee farmed in the Milford area for more than 50 years. A good farmer, Glen didn't believe that the easy way was the best way. He instilled in each of his children a respect for hard work, and for doing something right the first time. In 2004 Glen and Marylee moved from Milford to the Des Moines area to be near family. He gracefully accepted the changes brought about by this transition, and the subsequent one at Luther Park a few years later, where he learned how to be an apartment dweller while in his eighties. During his life in Milford, he served on the Dickinson County Board of Health for 20 plus years and was an election judge for many years. Glen was an active member of the Democratic Party. For his dedication to public service, he was awarded the Governor's Volunteer Service Award. He was also a member of Union Memorial Church in Milford. He is survived by his children Chuck Taylor of N. Bridgton, Maine; Mary (Joel) Meyer of Galena, Ill., and Laura Taylor-Lloyd (Bill Lloyd) of Johnston, Iowa. Glen deeply loved his three wonderful granddaughters: Kim, Melissa and Natalie. Glen's eldest son Joel died in 1980. Others remaining to cherish his memory include his brother Orv Taylor and wife Betty of Hartley, Iowa, and his sister Marie Wells of Marathon, Iowa. The family expresses profound appreciation for the wonderful, dedicated care Glen received from the staff at Luther Park.