Obituary of DOUGLAS STEPHEN TAYLOR

Douglas Stephen Taylor, 71, of Gulf Breeze, Florida passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Mr. Taylor was born on August 9, 1948, in Johnson City, Tennessee. His family moved to Glen Burnie, Maryland, when he was three years old, where he lived until his graduation from high school in 1966. He was a ranked lacrosse player in Maryland and attended the University of Maryland on a lacrosse scholarship. His deep sense of honor and duty to country led him to enlist in the United States Army in 1967. He served in Vietnam during the Tet 1969/Counteroffensive, even volunteering for a second tour of duty in Vietnam. When he returned to the United States, he served as an intelligence analyst at the National Security Agency. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Howard Taylor and Gladys Van Huss Taylor and his brothers, Gary Taylor and Benjamin “Benny” Taylor. Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Linda Smallwood Taylor, Gulf Breeze, Florida; daughter and son-in-law, Sydney and Eric Hubley, Pensacola, Florida; grandson, Harrison Hubley; sister-in-law, Rose Ludnick, Spring Hill, Florida; brother-in-law, Patrick Smallwood, Milton, Florida; several nieces, nephews, and cousins and a legion of friends. After moving to Gulf Breeze in 1976, Mr. Taylor began working in the insurance industry. He owned an insurance agency, Coastal Insurance, and spent the greater part of his working life in that career. Toward the end of his working life, he was employed with Network Telephone in Pensacola, Florida, and dabbled in other industries that were of interest to him. He was able to retire early to enjoy time with his friends and family and always lived life to the fullest. He volunteered his time and talents to numerous civic and cultural organizations, particularly those important to his daughter and grandson. He was a sage, counselor, teacher, guide, father figure, and loyal friend to more people than could ever be counted. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2020 with visitation from 11:00-12:00 pm and service at 12:00 pm at Family-Funeral & Cremation, 7253 Plantation Road, Pensacola, Florida 32504. A Committal Service will be held immediately following the service at Barrancas National Cemetery, (Shelter B), 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, Florida 32508. The family would love for friends to join them for a Celebration of Life at 4:00 pm on Friday, March 13, 2020, at Shoreline Park South, 709 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561. Flowers are graciously accepted or donations may be made to an appropriate charitable organization in memory of Douglas Stephen Taylor.