Laurence Albert “Larry” Taylor, 84, died suddenly at Whidbey General Hospital on March 22, 2011. Larry was born Dec. 12, 1926, in Scranton, Penn., to Harold and Clara (Kaltenbach) Taylor. He spent his early years in Pennsylvania. As he entered the seventh-grade, he moved with his family to Newton, N.J., where he graduated from high school.
Immediately after graduation, Larry entered the U.S. Navy, serving as an aviation ordnance man on the Hellcats in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was part of the invasion force on Kwajalein and on the island of Tarawa.
Following the war, Larry returned to the states and began selling insurance for a time and then began work for the Ankin Film Company, where he met Laura Bell Cooper. They were married in 1947 and moved to Paulinskill Lake, N.J., and purchased a home. He worked in the Sussex County Court System for over 25 years. He and Laura traveled to various military commands, staying with their daughter and son-in-law at duty stations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Cuba.
In 1989, Larry and Laura moved to Whidbey Island to retire. For a time they worked stocking magazines in the various stores throughout the Oak Harbor area. They enjoyed driving the highways and byways of Whidbey Island and having lunch at Country Corner at Sharp’s Corner. Larry enjoyed socializing with friends and acquaintances. He also enjoyed visiting the casino, going for rides, old vans and making people laugh.
Laura died in October of 2007 and Larry found a new means of occupying his time. He was asked to work as a greeter at the Albertson’s store in Oak Harbor, four days per week. He did not let his schedule stop him from serving coffee with Hazel Welliver at Safeway. Larry also found a new love in his life, Joan Simpson, following the death of his wife and her husband.
Larry was a member of the American Legion Post 1000 of New Jersey and a member of the Harmony Lodge 8, F&AM, of New Jersey for 55 years.
Larry is survived by two daughters, Linda Callahan and husband Ron of Oak Harbor and Leslie Parr and husband Keith of Charlotte, N.C.; one brother, Harold Taylor, Jr. of Chambersburg, Penn.; and his special friend Joan Simpson of Oak Harbor.
Larry requested no funeral services be conducted. Cremation was held with burial to follow at Tranquility Cemetery, in Tranquility, N.J. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor.
