Ronald Lawrence Taylor Sr.

August 27, 1950 - December 18, 2019

Ronald Lawrence Taylor Sr. was born to the union of Johnny Taylor and Rose Lee Hall Taylor. Ronald was raised by mother Rose Lee Hall and step-father David Hill, along with father Johnny Taylor. He was born on August 27, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Burke Elementary School and DuSable High School in Chicago, IL. He later relocated to Cleveland, Ohio where he was a graduate of East High School. He joined the Job Corps in Edinburgh, Indiana. He briefly attended college in Cleveland, OH. Ronald was a Vietnam Veteran. In June of 1970, he enlisted in the Army. He rose to the rank of an SP5. He earned the distinction as an Expert Grenade Launcher and Marksman of a M-16 rifle. He also earned the National Defense Service Medal, one Overseas Service Bar, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 device, and Vietnam Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on June 08, 1973. Ronald was a very hardworking and family-oriented man. He always strived to provide well for his family. He worked for various security companies over the years including Midwest Security, A.I.C Security, and Star Security. He worked for Salazar Construction. He was employed for VEBM, cleaning schools for children with disabilities while also being employed at The Fairmont Hotel, where he was employed from 1990 until his untimely death. Ronald was known as a nice, friendly, and funny guy with a quiet nature. Ronald attended Kenwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for many years, along with his family. He recently began studying again and took what he learned from the Bible very seriously. He held strong to his beliefs and demonstrated his faith in the resurrection hope even when faced with pressure in the hospital to compromise his beliefs. He did not waiver. Ronald married Marlena Davis on August 24, 1972 and from that union two children were born, Yolanda and Ronald Jr. Ronald married Aretta Love on August 27, 1988 and from that union two children were born, Raymond and Veronica. On December 18, 2019, Ronald fell asleep in death with family by his side after an aggressive illness at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. His mother Rose Lee Hall; step-father David Hill; father Johnny Taylor; siblings Johnny Taylor, Patricia McKinney, Gwendolyn Williams, Rosetta Reed, and Diane Whiteside; brothers-in-law Grayling Love, Anthony Morris, Thomas Reed, Fred Williams, and Walter Anderson; adopted brother Earl Blanton; grandson Ian Taylor; step daughter Angela Jones; nieces Debbie Whitaker and Jamie Christensen; great nephews Kareen Hopkins and Fredeo Anderson; and great niece Sonequa Taylor; all preceded him in death. Ronald leaves to cherish his memory, the love of his life of 37 years, and wife of 31 years, Aretta Taylor; son Raymond (Shecola) Taylor; daughters LaRonda Taylor and Veronica Taylor; sisters Marjorie Taylor, JoAnn (Eugene) Whitaker, Gloria (Harry) Mitchum; brothers Fredrick Taylor and Derrick Taylor; grandchildren- special granddaughter and friend Eve Taylor; granddaughters Kyrieal (Travis) Robinson, Marlena, Ebony, Evelyn, Graclynn, Brianna, and Brandy Lewis; grandsons Raheem Wilkins, Martique Taylor, Tyrell Willams, Tramaine Williams, Joey Lewis, Keenan, Austin Taylor, Issac, Quentin, Dadrian, and buddy Raymond Ronald Taylor Jr.; great grandchildren Ra’kiya Wilkins, Ra’niya Wilkins, Rahieal Wilkins, Khloe Robinson, Kynslee Robinson, and Zy’heriahTaylor; brothers-in-law Calvin (Antionette) Love and Fred McKinney; sisters-in-law Laura Love, Demetria Morris, and Annie Trice, Renee Spencer, Felesia (Charles) Long, and Kimberly Trice; mother-in-law Rena Love; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, friends, and spiritual family.