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Permanent LinkSenator Ray Taylor View All Years
RAY TAYLOR
Ray Allen Taylor was born on June 4, 1923, near Steamboat Rock, Iowa, to Leonard and Mary Huffman Taylor. He passed away on March 24, 2015, at the age of 91. He is survived by his children, Gordon, Laura, Karol, and Jean, and their spouses; 11 grandchildren; and 41 great-grandchildren.
Taylor graduated from Steamboat Rock High School in 1940. He attended the University of Northern Iowa and Baylor University. On February 5, 1943, he married Mary E. Allen at the First Baptist Church in Eldora, Iowa. The couple resided near Steamboat Rock where Ray farmed the family farm. He was also a business partner in Karol Anne’s Clothing Store in Eldora.
Taylor was elected to the Iowa Senate in 1972. He served six terms in the Senate, retiring from office in 1994. During his tenure at the Capitol, he was a member of many Senate committees, and served as chair of the Agriculture committee and vice-chair of the Appropriations committee. He was known as a man of strong principle who represented his constituents well.
Taylor was very active both in his community and within the state. He was elected to the Steamboat Rock School Board, serving as president for 12 years. He was a member of Farm Bureau, Wildlife Club, Toastmasters, Iowans Right-to-Work, American Legislative Exchange Council, and First Baptist Church. He was chair of the Hardin County Bicentennial Committee and a board member of Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny. In addition, he was a member of the College Student Aid Commission, Iowa Commission on Interstate Cooperation, Iowa Boundary Commission, Rural Electric Cooperative Board, and the American Cancer Society State Board.
Ray Taylor was a Hardin County Republican. He served in the Iowa Senate from 1973–1994, during the 65th, 66th, 67th, 68th, 69th, 70th, 71st, 72nd, 73rd, 74th, and 75th General Assemblies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable Ray Taylor, the State has lost an honored citizen and faithful and useful public servant, and that the Senate by this resolution expresses its appreciation of his service to the State and tenders its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.
Bill Dix
Jeff Edler
Amanda Ragan
Committee