Clayton Lee Taylor

STROMSBURG, Neb. - Clayton Lee Taylor, 90, of Stromsburg, passed away Jan. 3, 2011, at the Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg. Clayton was born in Englewood, Colo., on Aug. 25, 1920, to John Walter and Carrie (Bullock) Taylor. Clayton graduated from Englewood High School in 1939. On Feb. 14, 1942, he was united in marriage to Margaret Dunbar. To this union three children were born. During his high school years, Clayton was the quarterback for the Englewood football team and helped the team earn two consecutive state championship titles. Following high school, Clayton was a member of the 111th Navy "Seabee" Construction Battalion, serving from June 1943 to December 1945. One of his duties was navigating a Rhino Ferry across the English Channel to Omaha Beach. For his service he was presented the Presidential Unit Citation. He also served in the Philippine Islands via the Panama Canal. After serving in the military, Clayton started his own welding construction business, Taylor Construction Corporation. The business was responsible for erecting pipelines in the mountains of Colorado and surrounding states as well as constructing large water storage tanks. Clayton took great pride in his work. After his retirement in 1985, Clayton enjoyed many activities including golf, and traveling with Margaret each year to Mexico with RV friends. For many years they resided in Grand Lake, Colo., during the summer months and Sun City West, Ariz., during the winter. They made the move to Stromsburg in December 2008. Clayton moved into the Midwest Covenant Home on Sept. 15, 2010. Clayton enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, traveling as well as spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Margaret of Stromsburg; children, Lynn (Sharon) Taylor of Rock Springs, Wyo., and June (Al) Delcourt of Cane Ridge, Tenn.; son-in-law, Burdette Berck of Gresham; seven grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Carrie Taylor; daughter, Janet Berck who passed away in 2000; and sister, Netra Pech. Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Kerry Relihan officiating. Inurnment will be in the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colo., at a later date. Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and Osceola has been entrusted with arrangements.