L.D. Taylor Jr.

LD Taylor Jr. died on July 9, 2016 in Oklahoma City at the age of 89. He was born in Coleman, TX to LD Taylor and Lela Swigert Taylor, and was raised near Holdenville, Oklahoma through early high school. His family moved to Illinois, where he finished high school. He served his country in the Army during WWII and earned a Bronze Battle Star liberating the Philippines. He returned home to attend Purdue University and obtained a BS in Civil Engineering. He loved his Boilermakers and the Theta Chi fraternity. Upon graduation he went to work for the railroad in Ohio. On a blind date, he met the love of his life, Carolyn Kuhls and he married her on May 30, 1954. They moved to Indianapolis where he joined Boyd E. Phelps Consulting Engineers, designing many bridges and highways throughout Indiana. He considered the White River Bridge his greatest contribution to his community. After achieving an MBA from Indiana University he became the director of the Indianapolis office of Boyd E. Phelps Consulting. He was a 50-year member of the American Society of Consulting Engineers. Outside of his professional responsibilities he was an arbitrator for the American Society of Arbitration and Sunday School Superintendent for Cross and Crown Lutheran Church. After retiring, he enjoyed reading and travelling with his wife until she became ill with Alzheimer’s disease and he became her primary caregiver. He loved and was proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed taking them to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and 500 Speedway. In 2010 he moved to Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City where he made many new friends and regularly won at Bingo. His beloved wife of 56 years, Carolyn Kuhls Taylor, and his sons Douglas and David Taylor preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter Dr. Elizabeth Taylor Albert, son-in-law Dr. David Albert, grandchildren Kathryn Albert, Dr. Michael Albert, Carl Albert, Luke Albert, and “granddaughter #2”, Callie Albert. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on July 22, 2016 in Epworth Chapel, 14901 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK with subsequent burial in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, IN. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Special Olympics Oklahoma, 6835 S. Canton Ave., Tulsa, OK 74136. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.