Roger Floyd Taylor

Roger Floyd Taylor, age 84, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2019 in his home in Conway, Ark. Roger was born on June 13, 1935 in Stuttgart, Ark to William Henry and Ruth Marie (Johnson) Taylor. The Taylor family moved to North Little Rock in the 1940's and Roger graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1954. In January 1956 Roger married Dollene White in North Little Rock, Ark., and together they had two children, William Stuart Taylor and Leslie Fay Taylor. After Dollene's passing in 1991, Roger met and married Carol Kay Holler and added four step-children to his family. Roger and Kay resided in Conway, Ark., and enjoyed 27 years of marriage. In their retirement, they loved spending time with their family and traveling together. Roger enlisted in the Arkansas Air National Guard in February 1953 and rose through the enlisted ranks to become a Chief Master Sergeant. He was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the 123rd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron in 1971. He served as Commander, 123rd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron from January 1985 to November 1990. He retired from the Arkansas Air National Guard in June,1995 having achieved the rank of Colonel. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with eight devices and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three devices. He holds the distinction of being the first Air National Guardsman in the United States to be awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for cost-saving modifications he made to the RB-57 reconnaissance aircraft. In 1966, Roger began work at the Arkansas Highway Department where he founded the Aerial Photography and Photogrammetry Division. He left this position in June 1980 to join RT Electrical Sales, where he became a full partner before retiring in 1995. An avid outdoorsman, Roger enjoyed fishing, hiking, camping and canoeing. He had a lifelong passion for photography that took him all over Arkansas and to many scenic areas across the country. A skilled woodworker, he crafted hundreds of items including furniture, toys, and artistic works. Additionally, Roger was a 32nd Degree Mason, held numerous positions in photography organizations, both professional and social, and was a member of the Episcopal Church. Roger is survived by his wife, Kay; one brother, Robert Eugene Taylor of Tennessee and his wife Betty; a son, Bill Taylor and his wife Gale; daughter, Leslie Taylor; four step-children, Charles Ross and his wife Wendy, Christy Ross, Cary Ross and Cathy Luetje and her husband Paul; four grandchildren, Alyssa and her husband Aaron, Alex, Hunter and Jacob; two great-grandchildren Mason and Sutton; nieces, cousins and many life-long friends. A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, Ark. A brief service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 West Maryland Avenue, North Little Rock, Ark. Guestbook at www.SmithFamilyCares.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arkansas Educational Television Network or the American Cancer Society.