David Taylor

David Taylor,85, of Belton passed on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at a local hospital. 
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Belton followed by a graveside service at Rest Haven Cemetery in Belton with Pastor Matt Oberhelman officiating. 

David was born to Morrell Lee Taylor and Lula Fisher Taylor on May 5, 1936, in Slaton, Texas. He attended school in Slaton and Graduated class of 1955. He began his military career when he was just a junior in high school in the Army Reserves. He later joined the U.S. Airforce and served four years earning an expert Marksman Ribbon, Airforce Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Ribbon, and Air Force Good Conduct Metal. He attended Texas Tech and earned a bachelor’s in education and taught school for two years. He enlisted in the Army in 1969 volunteering for infantry and duty in Vietnam and was promoted to Captain. He served a total of more than twenty years in the military. He was so proud to serve his country and retired in 1985. He was awarded a bronze star, Army Commendation Metal, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Services Metal, Vietnam Service Metal with two bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Metal, Air Metal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Army Good Conduct Metal with five bronze loops, Expert Marksman Badge, Drill Sargent Badge, and Meritorious Service Metal. David earned a master’s in education from the University of Southern California and a Masters in English form Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). He was employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in management training and was recognized as Management trainer of the year in 2008. He then transferred to the Criminal Justice Assistance Division where he trained probation officers for the state and retired in 2003. He enjoyed playing base and was a member of First Baptist Church in Belton. 
He is preceded in death by his parents, Morrell Lee Taylor and Lula Fisher Taylor, his sister, Altha Lujene Taylor, his brothers, Johnnie Lee Taylor, James Leslie Taylor, Morrell Elmer Taylor, Robert Thomas Taylor, and Melvin Dean Taylor. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Taylor of Belton, his daughter Jaylene Creel of Houston, his stepsons, Stephen Crowe of California, and Brian Crowe of Washington; his grandchildren, Kerrie Salazar, Stephanie Ortiz, and Eve Crowe; his five great grandchildren, Abel Salazar, Marcus Luycx, Anthony Salazar, Andrew Salazar, and Ana Salazar, and nine great great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a local pet care and adoption agencies.

Arrangements are entrusted to Crotty funeral Home & Cremation Services of Belton.