Obituary for Roderick James "Rod" Taylor
Roderick “Rod” James Taylor 78 of Harrison went to be with his Lord on Friday, August 20, 2021 Roderick was born April 21, 1943 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the son of Cecil James and Ervadine Elsie (Warren) Taylor. Rod and his family moved to Williamston, Michigan in 1956 and graduated from Williamston High School in 1961. Soon after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country during the Vietnam War as a Corpsman. After Rod fulfilled his military commitment, he successfully passed his Civil Service examination for the Michigan State Police and began his law enforcement career, graduating in the 65th Trooper Recruit School in 1966. On April 9, 1965 in Webberville, Michigan, Trooper Taylor was united in marriage to Ms. Janet Marie Menke. Trooper Taylor served the State of Michigan as a Trooper, as well as Michigan State Police Dive Team and District Traffic Enforcement Team member. Trooper Taylor medically retired from the Michigan State Police in 1979.
Rod relocated his family to Harrison in 1983, moving from Brighton, Michigan after the family home was destroyed by a fire. Immediately after moving to Harrison, Rod began building a log home for his family to move into. While residing in Harrison, Mr. Taylor was an active member with United Brethren Church of Harrison, where he served many years as the church pianist. He stayed very active with his new community, working as a commercial snow plower, Rod successfully was elected to serve as a board member with Harrison Community Schools from 1989-1992 to give his time to better the education of students. He was elected in 1992 to serve as Hayes Township Supervisor for one, four-year term. Rod then became Tax Accessor and Cemetery Sexton for Hayes Township. Rod also managed the Hayes Township Civic Center gymnasium, where he coached and mentored many citizens for basketball league as well as open gym nights. Rod volunteered countless hours with the Clare County Sheriff Department as a Special Deputy as well as a member of the Clare County Sheriff Department Posse. Mr. Taylor volunteered many years as a track and field starter certified with the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Not satisfied with just track events, as time went, Rod decided to challenge himself with a new career, and earned his CDL and became an Over-the-Road truck driver as well as a Tour Bus operator. When Rod wasn’t working, or volunteering his time, he enjoyed sitting in the woods, enjoyed the splendor of nature, playing a round of golf with his sons and grandsons, playing basketball on various men’s leagues, running marathons and road races, attending many Detroit Lions Football games on Thanksgiving, as well as cheering for them during televised games. When the Lions were not playing, he would watch Michigan State Football and Basketball televised games. Rod’s children and grandchildren fondly remember him as a practical joker and his famous cheating techniques during evening card and board games.
Surviving Mr. Taylor is his loving wife of fifty-six years, Mrs. Janet “Jan” Taylor of Harrison, two sons: Scott Taylor and wife Mindy of Harrison and Steve Taylor and wife Sarah also of Harrison, one daughter, Kerri Recker-Taylor of Clare, Michigan, eight grandchildren: Russell Taylor and fiancée Whitney, Benjamin Taylor, Zachary Taylor and wife Britney, Travis Taylor, Bailey Taylor, Jacob Recker, Grace Taylor and Ava Taylor, two daughters in-law: Danielle Gould and husband Dave of Clare and Dana Taylor of Harrison, one sister, Bonita Esch of Lansing, many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Rod was preceded in death by his parents, two sons: Brian Taylor and Christopher Taylor and two brothers: Gerald Taylor and David Taylor.
Funeral services honoring Mr. Taylor will be held Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from Brown Corners Church, 5540 South Clare Avenue, Clare, Michigan 48617, with Pastor Jeremiah Ketchum officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Stocking Funeral Home, and Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be in Pleasant Plains Cemetery, Harrison with Pastor John Bakker officiating. Pallbearers responsible for the honor of placing Rod at his resting place: Scott Taylor, Steve Taylor, Russell Taylor, Benjamin Taylor, Zachary Taylor, Travis Taylor, F/Lt Joshua Lator, Trooper Dakota Kolo and Stacy Stocking. Military honors and Michigan State Police honors conducted under the auspices of the Department of the Navy, American Legion Post 404 of Harrison, V.F.W. Post 1075 of Harrison and the Michigan State Police. Memorial gifts in memory of Rod may be considered to: Michigan State Troopers Assistance Fund: https://mstaf-donations, in honor of: Roderick James Taylor. To share an online memory or condolence with Rod’s family, please visit: www.stockingfuneralhome.com. Arrangements and care of Mr. Taylor and his family are entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989)539-7810.
Rod relocated his family to Harrison in 1983, moving from Brighton, Michigan after the family home was destroyed by a fire. Immediately after moving to Harrison, Rod began building a log home for his family to move into. While residing in Harrison, Mr. Taylor was an active member with United Brethren Church of Harrison, where he served many years as the church pianist. He stayed very active with his new community, working as a commercial snow plower, Rod successfully was elected to serve as a board member with Harrison Community Schools from 1989-1992 to give his time to better the education of students. He was elected in 1992 to serve as Hayes Township Supervisor for one, four-year term. Rod then became Tax Accessor and Cemetery Sexton for Hayes Township. Rod also managed the Hayes Township Civic Center gymnasium, where he coached and mentored many citizens for basketball league as well as open gym nights. Rod volunteered countless hours with the Clare County Sheriff Department as a Special Deputy as well as a member of the Clare County Sheriff Department Posse. Mr. Taylor volunteered many years as a track and field starter certified with the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Not satisfied with just track events, as time went, Rod decided to challenge himself with a new career, and earned his CDL and became an Over-the-Road truck driver as well as a Tour Bus operator. When Rod wasn’t working, or volunteering his time, he enjoyed sitting in the woods, enjoyed the splendor of nature, playing a round of golf with his sons and grandsons, playing basketball on various men’s leagues, running marathons and road races, attending many Detroit Lions Football games on Thanksgiving, as well as cheering for them during televised games. When the Lions were not playing, he would watch Michigan State Football and Basketball televised games. Rod’s children and grandchildren fondly remember him as a practical joker and his famous cheating techniques during evening card and board games.
Surviving Mr. Taylor is his loving wife of fifty-six years, Mrs. Janet “Jan” Taylor of Harrison, two sons: Scott Taylor and wife Mindy of Harrison and Steve Taylor and wife Sarah also of Harrison, one daughter, Kerri Recker-Taylor of Clare, Michigan, eight grandchildren: Russell Taylor and fiancée Whitney, Benjamin Taylor, Zachary Taylor and wife Britney, Travis Taylor, Bailey Taylor, Jacob Recker, Grace Taylor and Ava Taylor, two daughters in-law: Danielle Gould and husband Dave of Clare and Dana Taylor of Harrison, one sister, Bonita Esch of Lansing, many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Rod was preceded in death by his parents, two sons: Brian Taylor and Christopher Taylor and two brothers: Gerald Taylor and David Taylor.
Funeral services honoring Mr. Taylor will be held Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from Brown Corners Church, 5540 South Clare Avenue, Clare, Michigan 48617, with Pastor Jeremiah Ketchum officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Stocking Funeral Home, and Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be in Pleasant Plains Cemetery, Harrison with Pastor John Bakker officiating. Pallbearers responsible for the honor of placing Rod at his resting place: Scott Taylor, Steve Taylor, Russell Taylor, Benjamin Taylor, Zachary Taylor, Travis Taylor, F/Lt Joshua Lator, Trooper Dakota Kolo and Stacy Stocking. Military honors and Michigan State Police honors conducted under the auspices of the Department of the Navy, American Legion Post 404 of Harrison, V.F.W. Post 1075 of Harrison and the Michigan State Police. Memorial gifts in memory of Rod may be considered to: Michigan State Troopers Assistance Fund: https://mstaf-donations, in honor of: Roderick James Taylor. To share an online memory or condolence with Rod’s family, please visit: www.stockingfuneralhome.com. Arrangements and care of Mr. Taylor and his family are entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989)539-7810.