Myron Douglas ""Mike Taylor Sr.

Myron Douglas (Mike) Taylor, Sr., 87 of Gering passed on Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at the Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. A memorial service will be held 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Brad Gustafson officiating. Cremation will be at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory and private family inurnment will be in the West Lawn Cemetery in Gering with military honors provided by the Nebraska National Guard. Memorials have been established to Prairie Haven Hospice, First Presbyterian Church or the donor’s choice. Myron was born November 23, 1919, in Larkspur, Co to Clarence Edward Taylor and Ethel Sophia (Dobertene) Taylor. He received his early education in Larkspur Elementary and Denver Public Schools, graduating from South High School. He grew up pursuing adventurous activities working on horse ranches, playing the saxophone in the family square dance ensemble, and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. During high school he joined a group called the Rebel Rangers, learned stage craft and Native American dances and culture while attending the Cheyenne Frontier Days. He never lost track of the friends and activities he had in those early years. He attended Fort Collins Agricultural College for one year where he studied animal husbandry and received his initial military instruction through ROTC. On December 20, 1941, he married Marjorie Jane Maxwell in Denver. Following the wedding, he left for World War II, serving with the First Cavalry Division 12th Reg. in the Pacific. He achieved the rank of Captain and received awards including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters for service during campaigns in New Guinea, Admiralty Is., Leyte, Luzon, and Manila, Philippines. Myron was given near Shaman status by the unit's Native Americans as they dubbed him ""man gone"" for his ability to detect and predict enemy movements. Following the war he returned to his job at Swift and Co, selling and teaching sales, covering areas from Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, S. Dakota, Virginia, and Illinois. He came to the Scottsbluff area in 1952, and began raising cattle, settling into what was the LB Murphy Ranch in 1956, continuing to ranch up until his death. He also worked in area sale barns, and after retirement from Swift, worked several years at Taylor Warehouse Carpet. He was proud to be a life member of both the National Rifle Association and Elks Lodge (B.P.O.E. 1367). He served as lodge organist for over 20 years and taught Junior Marksmanship for several years. All of his life he loved to hunt and was always interested and knowledgeable about firearms and their safety. He was involved in a large variety of activities and organizations which included Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 1, American Legion, 4-H leader, County Fair Board, Telephone Pioneers, Kiwanis, area musical productions, entertaining playing on the piano or singing, work with the Oregon Trail Museum association, and Indian dancing. At Wounded Knee, SD a judge complimented him for his knowledge of traditional dances after reaching the semi-finals of the fancy dance competition. For several years he gave performances and educational programs for the Oregon Trail Wagon Trains at Chimney Rock. Myron was known as the old guy who would do educational and entertainment programs about Native American life. Myron was a Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church, Scottsbluff. He was pleased to be part of the Saturday Morning Men's Prayer group and the Mariner's. He was grateful for all the prayers, friendship and fun he shared. He is survived by his wife Marge, two sons Mike (Myron Jr.), and Kermit (wife Karen Lyn) and one daughter Karen Elaine. He had four grandchildren, Brenden, Zack, Jana, and Mike, and 4 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother, Glenn, and a nephew Steve.