George Robert Taylor

George Robert "Bobby" Taylor, 88, a resident of Cleveland passed away Friday, July 16, 2010 in a local hospital. He was a member of Broad Street United Methodist Church. As a young man, Taylor served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He flew 35 missions in a B-17 over enemy occupied Europe during his three year service. Taylor returned to Cleveland in 1945 to join Merchants Bank as a bookkeeper and was mobilized in 1950 during the Korean Conflict. He served with the 278th Regimental Combat Team of the U.S. Army National Guard, serving as infantry heavy weapons Company Commander and Executive Officer of the heavy mortar company. He was awarded the Air Medal with Five Gold Leaf Cluster. He received the Air Medal on six different occasions, prior to his honorable discharge in July 1952. In 1997 he received the Veteran of the Year Award. Bobby Taylor began his banking career in 1945 at Merchants Bank. He served as president and chief executive officer from 1971-1986. He was a director for the bank's parent company, Third National Corporation from 1973-1981. In 1986, he reached mandatory retirement age of 65 and retired from his 41 year career with Merchants Bank. In 1987 he led a group which founded Bank of Cleveland. In 1997, Bobby Taylor retired his post as chief executive officer, retaining the position of chairman. Taylor has served as President of the Tennessee Bankers Association, Vice President of the American Bankers Association, Director of Third National Corporation, Treasurer of the Bradley County Chapter of the American Heart Association, Treasurer of Easter Seals Society, Chairman of the Community Chest Drive (presently known as United Way), Director of MainStreet Cleveland,the last charter member of the Cleveland Elks Lodge No. 1944, Cleveland Rotary Club as well as various other clubs, committees and organizations over the years. Taylor served on the Bradley County Quarterly Court from 1954-1956. He was elected Finance Commissioner for the City of Cleveland from 1956-1968. Taylor was also a great contributor to MainStreet Cleveland. Not only has he given his time and talent to the organization, but he has often been honored for his personal efforts to renovate downtown Cleveland and preserve its historical significance.He and Mayor Tom Rowland co-founded the Cleveland Empty Stocking Fund in 1972. In 2009 he received the M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award. Taylor was the longest standing member of 55 years at Cleveland Golf and Country Club. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe Conklin and Grace Bradfute Taylor; four sisters and three brothers. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Nancy Parks Taylor; daughter, Linda Burns and husband, Gerald; son, Scott Taylor and wife, Sharon; grandchildren: Ashley Burns Meagher and husband, Jim; Brandon Taylor Burns; Clint Taylor and Clarke Taylor; great grandchildren: Burns Meagher and Reece Meagher all of Cleveland; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Broad Street United Methodist Church with Reverends Debbie Stokes and Reed Shell officiating. Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Jim Meagher, Steve Harbison, Keys Fillauer, Julian Sullivan, Terry Buckner, Jim Park, Allan Jones, Dr. Paul Bacon, Lamar McKenzie, Tony Martin and Brian Hood serving as pallbearers. The Kelly Class of Broad Street United Methodist Church and Officers and Directors of Bank of Cleveland will serve as honorary pallbearers. His family will receive friends from 12 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the church prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Broad Street United Methodist Church, Unity Center, 155 Central Avenue, Cleveland, TN 37311; Empty Stocking Fund, Bank of Cleveland, P.O, Box 5000, Cleveland, TN 37320or MainStreet Cleveland, P.O. Box 304, Cleveland, TN 37364. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Taylor family guestbook at www.fikefh.com. Fike Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.