Robert Taylor

Funeral Services for Dr. Robert Taylor, 75, of Lakeland, Florida and Rabun Gap, Georgia, formerly of Attapulgus, GA will be conducted at the First United Methodist Church in Lakeland, FL on Monday September 15, 2007 at 3:00 PM. Pall Bearers assisting with the service are Kneeland Chase, Bill Evans, Jimmy Fore, Dr. David Royal, Ernie Straughn and Dr. Jack Yant. Honorary Pall Bearers are Tom Bayless, Hubert Brooks, Dr. Charlie Buckner, Dr. Don Chastain, Morgan Markham, Jimmy Taylor, Max Taylor, and Dr. Johnny Taylor. A graveside service will be held at the First United Methodist Church Cemetery in Attapulgus, GA on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 11:00 AM EST with Rev. Lynn Hurley officiating. Dr. Robert Franklin Taylor, 75, of Lakeland, Florida and Rabun Gap, Georgia, passed away at Mountain Lakes Medical Center in Clayton, GA on Wednesday evening, September 10, 2008. On November 11, 1932, Dr. Taylor was born in Attapulgus, Georgia to the late James Mercer Taylor and Ida Virginia Lewis Taylor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 of his siblings, Manning Taylor, John Lewis Taylor and Margaret Markham. Dr. Taylor is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Munroe Taylor; his eldest daughter Ruth Taylor Giordano and husband, John of Tampa, FL; daughter, Carol Taylor Gomez of Tampa, FL; his eldest son John Forrest Taylor and wife, Gloria of Lehigh, FL; son, Lee Munroe Taylor and wife, Lauren of Sarasota, FL; daughter, Amanda Margaret Taylor of Orlando, FL; and five granddaughters and five grandsons. Also surviving is his brother, Dr. W. Forrest Taylor of Quincy, FL. As a graduate of Emory University and Emory University Medical School, Dr. Taylor was an active member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity as well as Phi Chi Medical Fraternity. After marrying Ruth, he served his internship and anesthesia residency at Hartford General Hospital in Hartford, CT and eventually became a Board Certified Anesthesiologist. He was a member of the American Medical Association, American Anesthesiology Association, the Southern Medical Association and Polk County Medical Society. Once Dr. Taylor settled in Lakeland, FL he eventually served as the Chief of Staff of Lakeland General Hospital (now Lakeland Regional Medical Center), President of the Kiwanis Club of Lakeland and served on the Boards of Directors of Santa Fe High School and The Lakeland Patriots Youth Football. For 38 years his anesthesia practice served the Lakeland community through LRMC and The Watson Clinic. As a Gator Booster, Dr. Taylor cheered on the Florida Gators for over 40 years from the same 50-yard-line seats. His love of fishing took him to Belize, Mexico and Alaska on several occasions. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lakeland and was affiliated with the Clayton United Methodist Church. A memorial service was held at the Clayton United Methodist Church on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 11 AM with the Rev. Carol Cook officiating. Beck Funeral Home of Clayton, GA, and Heath Funeral Chapel of Lakeland,FL were in charge of local arrangements there.