Dr. Charles A. Taylor's Obituary
Dr. Charles A. Taylor, 96, of Decatur, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2020, in his home.
Charles was born September 8, 1923, in Cowden, IL, the youngest child of Levi William and Bertha Edna (Akins) Taylor. He attended Cowden High School, Millikin University and graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in 1950. He joined Drs. McClelland and Hubble in 1950 and continued in practice until retiring in 2005. Dr. Taylor served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. He graduated from twin engine flying school in May 1944 and subsequently was assigned to the 387th bomb squadron in Chipping Ongar Essex England and later to various airfields in France. He flew 40 combat missions over France and Germany and participated in the Normandy, Central Europe, Northern France and Ardennes Campaigns. He received the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Bronze Battle Star and Presidential Unit Citation. He returned to Decatur in 1945. He married Lorraine Tempel on August 26, 1945. She passed away on January 13, 1979. He later married Elizabeth Fain on June 15, 1991.
Charles loved golfing, fishing, flying and socializing with his friends. He was an avid reader on a wide range of subjects especially religious material. He was a member of VOSH (Volunteer Organization for Service to Humanity). With a group of other Optometrists and assistants, he traveled to indigent areas of Rural Mexico, Belize, Dominican Republic and Haiti examining eyes and supplying eyeglasses furnished by the Lions Clubs.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his two sons, Douglas of Decatur and Charles “Chuck”, Jr. Of Savannah, GA; his daughter, Diane Crowe of Channahon, IL; his grandchildren, Brandon, Courtney, Natalie, Nicole; his great-grandchildren, Makenna, Keagan, Austin, Jaycee, Bryant, Riley and Keegan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and three sisters.
No services are planned at this time.
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