John Ray Taylor

John Ray Taylor

Independence

John Ray Taylor, 80, passed peacefully at his home in Independence on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. The son of Dale and Mabel Taylor, John grew up in Central City. He graduated from Central City High School and attended Mount Mercy and Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers. He leaves behind his loving wife of 34 years, Beverly Dicus Taylor, and children, Lynette Senter (Glenn), Lisa Taylor, Laura Taylor (Lori Hollingshead), Matthew Wisgerhof (Beth Regan) and Sara Throener (Eric). He also is survived by many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a niece. He was preceded in death by his sisters Mary and Marla Taylor and many dogs, most notably Berkeley, Drake, Penny and Honor.

John was a banker, spending 28 years at FirstStar, formerly Merchants National Bank, where his final role was Vice President, Operations, and 10 years at BancIowa in Independence, where he was Senior Vice President of Operations. He was a Certified Compliance Officer through Sheshunoff Regulatory Program.

John retired at 58 and spent his remaining years engaged in his true passion, training dogs. He and his dogs competed in NAHRA and AKC Hunt Tests throughout the Midwest. As his health failed beginning earlier in 2022, his dogs Honor and Boomer rarely left his side. John was an avid hunter, spending many days hunting in Iowa and trips to Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Northwest Territories and Quebec. He was known as Sure Shot by his hunting companions.

Memorial donations may be made to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Cedar Valley Hospice and Quasqueton Emergency Services.