Ray Edward Taylor
April 3, 1959 ~ February 27, 2023
Ray Edward Taylor, “Opie”, 63, Lexington Park, MD, formerly of Clarksburg, OH, passed away on February 27, 2023 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on April 3, 1959 in Circleville, OH, he was the son of the late Martha (Wallace) Conley and the late Charles Taylor, Jr. Ray was the loving husband of Diana (Halasz) Taylor, whom he married on March 5, 1981 in Leonardtown, MD. He is survived by his children Jerod A. Taylor (Sara) of Lexington Park, MD, Athena N. Dyson (Keith) of Lexington Park, MD, and Jacob A. Taylor (Jenna) of Lexington Park, MD, his siblings Sheila Jewell (Gordon) of Williamsport, OH, Mike Taylor (Sharon) of Mt. Sterling, OH, Lee Taylor of Chillicothe, OH, his half-sister Sara Rings (Jeff) of Columbus, OH, his half-sister Tammy Poar (Roy) of Columbus, OH, three grandchildren Aaliyah, Joshua, and Lincoln, as well as one grandchild on the way. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his sister Sue Jennings.
Ray graduated from Adena High School in 1977, as well as from Ross County Career and Technology Center (Automotive). He served in the United States Marine Corps as an aviation mechanic for four years, from July 22, 1977 to July 21, 1981; during this time, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. Ray moved to St. Mary’s County, MD from Clarksburg, OH on October 5, 1981. He continued his career at HX-21 for over 41 years, starting as a maintenance contractor, promoting to supervisor, maintenance controller, and group manager. His knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for the profession was known to all. Ray was a member of Abate, Bucksnorts, and enjoyed working on cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Ray was a father figure to many, beloved by all who knew him. He was The man that anyone could turn to for guidance and mentorship, and a jack of all trades. For everyone who knew and worked with Ray, he was a man who treated all with respect, kindness, and real value.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 10, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where a funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM with Deacon Walter Rourke officiating. Interment will be private. Serving as pallbearers will be Jerod Taylor, Jacob Taylor, Patrick Dyson II, Devon Johnson, Gene McNair, and Donnie Carter. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Dyson, James Curtis, Dustin Harris, Kim Davidson, Gail Miller, and TJ Tutz.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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My condolences 🙏 to Ray’s beloved wife and children 🙏. Ray was a wonderful man and a friend of 40 years. He will be missed by everyone who ever knew him. God bless, Mark Farrell
Diana and family, Mom and I send our prayers and love to you at this time. I remember the day Ray came to live with Mom and Dad and became a part of our family. Also , when you, Diana ,came into Ray’s life and brought him such joy to have found you . May God keep and bless you . Love and Prayers always, Mae Skellett and Karen Gillow
I am so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was such a nice, caring man. I know he will be missed.
Rip Ray, had some fun times at Dyna. Till we meet again. Scott Mclane
Opie,
Thank you for being a friend, thank you, and your for family for taking care of frank, thank you for your service in the United States Marine Corps , thank you for your knowledge of the PHROGS that you passed to me, thank you for being a great leader, thank you for being you . To Opie’s family, thank you for sharing him with me, My GOD’s peace that goes beyond human understanding be with you, and may the spirit of our Lord Jesus give you comfort .
Barrie Grubbs
Diana, my heart breaks for you and the kids. I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Ray was a wonderful husband, father, and man. Hugs to you all.
Ray,
We shared a lot of years at RW, and butted heads a few times, but I could always count on you for the straight answer and to work together to get to get the job done (in spite of a couple MO’s ). You’ll be missed.
Hammbone
Dear Diana and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are (and have been) with you all during this most difficult time. Ray will always be remembered for the kind, loving, understanding and giving person that he was to everyone he met. Through stories shared over the years (since Jennifer and Jacob started dating in high school) I learned that Ray was very much the perfect family man, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend. Anyone that met Ray was Blessed with a new friend and friendship. Ray’s memories will live on for generations to come, he will not be forgotten.
Remember that you are not alone, God is with you during this time of grieving.
Ray…a ray of light that will live in all of the hearts of whom had the distinct honor of knowing him and loving him. As our neighbor, you were just a neighbor. You were the kind man that made his maneuvered his lawnmower around our pesky tree, the man who walked as peacefully as he spoke, intrigued our interest with talk for all things automotive, spoke so profoundly of your talented children and with so much heart. And when it came to your bride, if you weren’t holding her hand and sitting beside her, you spent much time speaking of your adoration for her. You took joy in all of your loved ones’ birthdays and of course, your wedding anniversary. Last year at the very beginning of March, while I was unloading groceries, you came to me and from your yard, you exclaimed “it’s almost my wedding anniversary! 40 years! Can you believe it? It feels like yesterday!” The theme I capture from our meeting you and from those you’ve known is that you liked comfortability in longevity whether marriage or work…and that you basked in the milestones of life and time. One day we were riding in a car together and the next, you were in the battle of your life. With all who love you rallying for your good health, on February 27th, we lost your physical presence from our sight. But I’ve come to learn through life, that your greater purpose is up in Heaven, and the good die young. Here’s the real kicker Ray, you’ll never die in spirit and your memory will live on. It was a pleasure meeting your acquaintance and being our friend and neighbor.
To Ray’s Diana, children and grandchildren, may God give you the strength you’ll need, and the comfort in knowing that he is at peace. Ray left you all with the impression of hardwork and love. So young he passes, but in his short time on earth, he spent his time living well and good. May God bless you all, as we keep you in prayer. We love you all!
Respectfully,
Clark, Nabi, Roman & Greyson
PS: Thank you Ray for being there for us in the simplest of ways that will be remembered for always. Rest in heavenly peace. Memory and life eternal.