More detail on this person: Daniel Leslie Wyman Taylor, 81, died with his family by his side late Monday, November 19, 2018, in Kansas City, KS, from complications of Parkinson's Disease. Dan is survived by his daughters from his 49-year marriage to his late wife Mary Lou who all were with him in his final days: Danita Taylor of Houston, TX; Kathy Jo Kiser of Fort Worth, TX; Kimberly (Al) Stanger of St. Louis, MO, and Tina (David) Bunch of Basehor, KS. He is also survived by Lisa Monique Taylor of Aiken, SC, his daughter from a previous marriage. He also leaves behind his granddaughters Heather Kiser and Tiffany Kiser of Fort Worth, TX. Dan will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in the Spring - as he requested, Mary Lou's ashes will be interred with him. A celebration of his life will be held in the days prior to his interment at his home church in Ardmore, TN, with his family, church family, friends, fellow veterans, and brothers and sisters in the Masonic, National Sojourners, and Heroes of '76 organizations that he loved so much. The service dates will be announced as soon as they are set. The family would like to thank Phoenix Home Care and Hospice, The Piper, Providence Medical Center, and Country Place Senior Living for their care of Dan. In addition, we would like to thank Enhanced Home Care and their private caregivers, especially his caregiver of two years, Pam Fox, for the loving, one on one care we know he enjoyed over the last several years. Heartfelt thanks also go to Catherine Hansen, former activities Director at Country Place, who always made him light up and in his final days, hand danced the waltz so lovingly with him. Thanks also to Tina's in-laws, Jim and Evelyn Bunch, as well as numerous friends and their families, including Susan Larimore, Krista Jackson and Michelle Worley, who spent time with Dan or helped when Tina was out of town or needed assistance. In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks you to honor our Daddy, who we loved so much, by making someone smile, offering a helping hand - just make a positive difference in someone's life today. In his senior high school yearbook in 1955, Danny said "Service" was his ambition. Although he meant military service, his life is a testament of service to his country, his God, his family, and to others. His family will never forget his sacrifices and will love him forever, but we know he is in a better place where he can have engaging conversation, dance, and sing again. Danny was born February 14, 1937 in Guilford, Maine to Walter Earl and Helen Mary Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as an older sister Ann and a younger sister Paula. Although they were separated by distance, Dan's love for his sisters was immense. Dan is survived by Ann and Paula's children and grandchildren. Despite having very little financially, Danny, "the King of the One Liners" and a great storyteller had an adventurous childhood. He snowshoed to school, ski jumped at lunch, flirted with everyone, danced at the Finn Hall, played the spoons, and dreamed of a better future. "Dance Hall Danny" was proud of the couples he paired off that went on to marry. Danny took the College Course in High School and participated in numerous activities including Winter Sports, Band, Dramatic Club, Commercial Club, Student Council, Editorial Board, and his favorite sport basketball. He graduated from Monson Academy as the Class Historian. Immediately after graduation, Danny enlisted in the United States Army where he would serve his country for the next 30+ years. Initially enlisted, Danny attained the grade of Specialist Six and served as a Track Vehicle Repairman on M47 and M48 Tanks, Crew Chief and Gunner on H21 Helicopters, and as Flight Engineer on the CH-47 Chinook Helicopter. During this time, Danny met and married Mary Lou Spencer in Great Bend, NY. Their girls were born as he moved with his military career at Fort Devens, MA, Fort Drum, NY, Fort Benning, GA, and Fort Dix, NJ. He served in various duty stations in the US, Korea, Germany, and one unofficial and two official tours in Vietnam. During 1966, Danny (now going by Dan to all but his close family), attended Flight School and served as Pilot and Test Pilot on OH23, UH1, and AH1 Cobra Helicopters. Life changed profoundly for Dan and his family on September 10, 1967 while he was on a downed aircraft recovery mission near Duc Pho, RVN. He and his crew were ambushed on the ground and began receiving armored piercing small arms rounds. He and his acting co-pilot, close friend, and fellow Mainer Specialist-4, Wayne Alan Watts, were wearing flack vests that would not stop the armored piercing rounds. After several bursts, Dan was severely wounded, and Wayne was killed. Dan's lifelong focus on quality and process improvement may have been jump-started that day, as the incident resulted in his unit immediately being equipped with the armored piercing breast plate type vests to protect others who had to continue with the recovery missions. As Dan eventually brought patriotic programs to various communities, the memory and sacrifice Wayne, as well as those his fellow service members made, stayed with him. Dan was evacuated out of Vietnam and returned to active duty after 25 months of hospitalization and therapy, with part of the time in a body cast. Dan wore a brace on his right leg ("Sixteen Tons") for the remainder of his life as he no longer had a hamstring. Although he never received a VA rating for his PTSD, which he suffered from through his final days, he eventually was classified at 100% combat-related disabled due to the loss of use of his right leg, hearing loss related to helicopters and jets, as well as exposure to Agent Orange. For many years, he kept the helicopter altimeter that took a round off course that day and probably saved his life in a place of honor on his desk. Dan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1976 and finally retired from the military in 1986 as a Chief Warrant Officer Four after more than 30 years of service. He had earned numerous awards and decorations including Senior Crew Member and Master Aviator, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Air Medals with V device, the Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medals. After his military retirement, Dan worked for several defense contractors including Lockheed Martin, COBRO, INNOLOG, and finally as a Senior Analyst with AEPCO at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. He was always concerned with quality control and to ensure that those serving our nation had the best and safest equipment. He resigned from AEPCO in 2009 due to his hearing loss and his wife, Mary Lou's, health. Dan met Mary Lou when he was 20 and she was 15, working at her family's restaurant and he was stationed at Fort Drum, NY. He walked in wearing a pink shirt, black pants, and a narrow silver belt. Mary spotted him and turned to her father and said she was going to marry that man standing there someday. Her father, Harold, was not impressed with this Danny Taylor, especially with his outfit. On August 5th, 1960, soon after Mary's 18th birthday, that day came, and they married. Dan was very close to Mary's family and is survived by her four sisters and one brother, all of whom he loved dearly, as well as their spouses and children. Over the next 49 years, the family traveled extensively, living the military life to the fullest, with many wonderful years in Germany, his retirement from the military at Fort Hood, TX, a move to St. Louis for his job with Lockheed Martin, and ultimately, to Ardmore, TN for his work at Redstone Arsenal. Dan took loving care of his "Lulu" as her health deteriorated until she died at 67 years old on March 14, 2010. He literally put his life on hold to care for her as she was in and out of the hospital - and he was always underplaying the stress he was under to his girls. Throughout these years, our dog family of Fluffy, Rascal, Jessie, and Dan's baby, Precious, brightened his life as did his grand-furbabies here in Kansas, Jack "Hi-Jack" and Maggie "Chattanooga Cho-Cho". There are so many examples of Dan's sacrifice and service for his family, but two come quickly to mind. In 1985, Dan failed a medical test, so he could not be in active flying status, so was not receiving flight status pay. Ultimately, the medical test was found to be defective, but while Dan was waiting to be re-instated, he took leave and walked door to door in the summer Texas sun to sell white page entries. He did this while wearing his "Sixteen Tons" brace, never complaining to his family, just doing what he needed to do to keep the family going financially. Another example is when he went on TDY (Temporary Duty assignments) throughout his career. He would eat tuna fish and crackers and save up his per diem and come back and buy something for the family, such as our first VCR. Dan's work ethic was second to none. He taught his daughters to always give 110%, but especially when no one is looking. His focus on quality and doing the right thing was passed down and we love him even more for that. When Dan and Mary Lou moved to Ardmore, TN, they found a church family they loved dearly at Ardmore United Methodist Church. Dan held many positions within the church and faithfully served it. Daddy's favorite bible verse was Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. He also often quoted a variation of the verse "Give and Ye Shall Receive", referencing both tangible and intangible gifts one can make. In addition, Dan was key in starting a Veteran's program in Ardmore. Dan had many friends in Ardmore, but he was especially close to Paul and Peggy Griffin and their family, as well as his pastor Debbie Eubanks and her family. We lovingly thank them for all they did for Dan and Mary Lou. Dan's service to his fellow man came in many forms and through many charities, top among them his involvement with Masonic, Veteran, and Patriotic organizations. Dan was raised in Columbia Doric Lodge No. 149 in Greenville, Maine in 1959. Most recently he was a member of Ardmore No. 22 in Ardmore, TN. He was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine, Royal Order of Scotland, Royal Arch, York Rite College, 33o Scottish Rite, Tall Cedars, Grand Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill, Order of the Eastern Star, Amaranth holding high honors in many of these organizations. Dan was active in the Disabled American Veterans, 2nd Cavalry Assoc., Army Aviation Assoc., Retired Officers Assoc., and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. A major part of Dan's life was devoted to the National Sojourners, an organization of current and former members of the uniformed forces who are Master Masons. Through National Sojourners, Dan supported Masonic ideals and patriotic aims and activities. Dan was also a proud member of the Heroes of '76, composed of National Sojourners who have, in recognition of their exemplary service to National Sojourners, Freemasonry, and our government, received this patriotic Degree. Dan was initiated into National Sojourners in Heidelberg, Germany #304 in 1970. He served as Chapter President of Ft Hood #208 and St Louis #22. Serving as Secretary of #22, he received the national award of Secretary of the year for 1993-1994. Dan served on the Committee of 33, and on the Membership, Gifts and Bequests, Education and Training, Bridge of Light, and Honor Awards committees. He served as both Area and Regional Representative and is a Member-in-Perpetuity of 31 Chapters. Dan served as National Commander of National Sojourners for the 2001-2002 year. He earned the Memphis Cup and Van Deventer Awards. In 2014, he proudly received the Legion of Honor, National Sojourners' highest award. In his 81 years, Dan had a positive influence in so many ways on so many people. It is heartbreaking that he is gone, but we know his hearing is perfect now, he is enjoying a Wendy's cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato only and a vanilla frosty, his dreams are restful, and he can once again run lay-ups.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 01/01/2019
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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