Stephen D. Taylor

Stephen Donald Taylor, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away on Saturday, February 23, 2013. He was 66 years old. Steve lived in Stover since 1974, with Sylvia Borchers Taylor, his wife of 45 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry L Taylor and Retha Fern McCrary Taylor, and brother, Charles Harry Taylor. Steve was known for his sense of humor and generosity. He enjoyed hunting, boating, and spending time with his family, which included such things as commencements, concerts, learning blacksmithing, and traveling. Most recently, Steve traveled to Belize with Sylvia and their children, where he climbed a Mayan pyramid, swam with sting rays and sharks, and fulfilled a childhood dream of snorkeling. Steve was active in many organizations, including the American Legion Post 343, Society of Freemasons, Shriners Ararat of Springfield, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Versailles, the Stover Park Board, Stover Chamber of Commerce, Westside Chamber of Commerce, and Stover United Methodist Church. Steve was a charter member of the Sunrise Optimist Club in Warrensburg, and he volunteered with the Lions Club and the Boy Scouts of America. Steve was born on May 24, 1946 in St Joseph, Missouri. He graduated from College High School in Warrensburg in 1964 and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from Central Missouri State College in 1968. Steve married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Borchers on September 1, 1967, and they traveled the world as part of Steve's military service. Steve served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971 and was stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL; Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX; and Fort Buckner in Okinawa, Japan. Steve and Sylvia enjoyed their stay in Japan, which led them to host a Japanese exchange student later in life. After his military service, Steve worked for Citizens Bank in Warrensburg. Steve and Sylvia moved to Stover in 1974, and Steve worked for many years at Farmers Bank of Stover and then First National Bank in Buckner, before concluding his career with Concordia Bank in Stover and Laurie. He settled somewhat restlessly into a well-earned retirement in 2010. Steve's death was unexpected and he is sorely missed by friends and family. We enjoyed his abundant wit, his openness to new ideas and experiences, and the love he showed each day. In addition to his wife Sylvia, Steve is survived by his children, Mary Beth Taylor (and spouse Steve Cummins), Ethan Taylor (and spouse Cynthia); his aunt, Viola McCrary; his cousins and their families: Mike McCrary, Arlene McCammon, Laura Springs, Bob Taylor, Linda Taylor. Additionally, he is survived by his brother-in-law and his wife, Jeff and Loretta Borchers and their family: Jodi and David Bolton and their children, Zachary and Kaitlin; Jonathan Borchers and Kim Hurtle, and their children, Brayden and Austin, as well as special friends Mary and Gene Cox, and their children and grandchildren: Mary Glynn Fields and Danny Cox; Nick, Amy, Hayden and Candace Cox; Teresa and Ryan Hood and their children, Jason, Jordan, Logan, and Shelby; and Janet Welch Borchers. A visitation will be held at Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover on Thursday, February 28, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Stover United Methodist Church on Friday, March 1, at 10:30 a.m. For those who wish to do so, donations can be made in Steve's honor to the Lions Eye Tissue Bank, through the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home.

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