Robert "Bob" Gerald Taylor was born November 9, 1946, to Robert H. and Georgetta M. Taylor, at Hillcrest in Tulsa and departed this life on May 5, 2017. As a young boy he moved to the United Methodist Children's Home in Tahlequah. He graduated from Tahlequah High School in 1965 and attended OCU on a debate scholarship, where he majored in Philosophy and joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He met the love of his life, Carolyn Wimer, when they were both serving as camp counselors at Camp Egan and married her in 1969 in Miami, OK. He also met his close friend Joe Black at OCU and Joe married Carolyn's twin sister Marolyn and became Bob's brother-in-law. Shortly after marriage, Bob and Carolyn moved to Enid where Bob attended Phillips Seminary and ministered at several churches. The same year his first child was born, he changed careers and served clients in the insurance and investment business, doing so for over 40 years. He started his own company, Utica Capital Management, with his daughter Christi and was later joined by his son Rob in serving these clients at this company.

He had success in so many things that he did. As a businessman he held numerous designations and licenses and was in the top 1% of insurance salesman year after year and was a platform speaker for MDRT. But he measured his success not by these awards and accolades but by how many families he was able to help. As a Christian, he strove to grow in his walk with Jesus each day. He was a longtime member of first Asbury United Methodist Church and later First United Methodist Church in Tulsa. He cherished his Carpenters Sunday school class and sometimes led the group. He taught bible studies and church classes. He served on numerous charitable boards. He started the Men Without Fathers group at FUMC, and he and Christi wrote and taught a curriculum about the biblical principles of finance. A 9 1/2 year survivor of pancreatic cancer, he served on the local PanCan Network board and ran at the annual race "incognito" as Super Bob. As an avid fisherman, taught by his father-in-law Jack Wimer Sr., he helped found the Trout Unlimited Tulsa Chapter. He also served on the boards for the United Methodist Boys' Ranch in Paradise Hill, OK and Circle of Care, and he led Bible Study Fellowship numerous times.

In addition to this, he was a man of many and varied hobbies and interests--painting, fly fishing, cycling, woodworking, reading Robert Parker's Spencer mystery novels, singing in a barbershop quartet, driving unique cars, attending auctions, going to rodeos, rooting for the local team, playing with his beloved Scottie dogs, roaming through hardware stores, playing bongo drums, and traveling. He spent the night in all 50 states because it didn't count as a visit if you just drove through! He hit some of the last states on a cross-country road trip in his T-bird convertible with his grandson Michael. He and his son built a lake house at Lake Tenkiller which became a favorite spot for each family member and friend who ever stayed there. While his daughter was at Cascia Hall he coached many winning debate teams (hers included), even taking some to State and Nationals.

More than anything, though, Bob was the consummate family man. He always put his family first in everything that he did. As a family man he wanted little more out of life than being surrounded by his family creating family traditions that will live on in the lives and homes of his wife, his kids and his grandkids. We will never be able to put up a Christmas tree or look at Christmas lights without also eating Mexican food. He cried at sappy movies and even a few commercials. He dressed impeccably, favoring yellow sweaters and argyle socks and occasionally a cowboy hat but always a jacket. He always had a pocketknife and a fresh haircut. He loved breakfast, caramel popcorn, and root beer floats. Always a hometown supporter, he was a longtime fan of TU and member of the Golden Hurricane Club. He loved fellowship around the dinner table, always put family first, and refused to let anyone or anything dampen his positive attitude.

He is survived by his loving wife Carolyn, daughter Christi Rowland and husband Kevin, son Rob Taylor and wife Melissa, six grandchildren--Michael Rowland, Juan Betancur, Caroline Rowland, Emma Rowland, Jack Taylor, and Katy Taylor--sisters Lynda Startzman, Faunelle Deaton and husband Marion, Kathy Sue Nelson, and Judy Barfield and brother Mike Stine, numerous nieces and nephews, mother-in-law Barbara Wimer, brother-in-law Jack Wimer and wife Terrie, and too many friends to count. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, his father-in-law, two brothers-in-law and his sister-in-law.

His life will be celebrated at a service at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to Smile Train, St. Jude's or First Methodist Mission Fund in memory of Bob.