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Keith TaylorOur good friend and fellow DAFer, Keith Taylor, passed away Friday evening, February 17, 2012, at the age of 82. Keith was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor to many. He developed complications from cancer, which had been diagnosed just two months ago.

Keith was born to fly. He got his pilot's license at the age of 17 and served 20 years as a pilot in the Air Force.

He was awarded many medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After retiring from the military he continued flying as a Sabreliner Production Test Pilot and worked as a Project Engineer on the B-1 Program with Rockwell International, retiring after a second career of 15 years. He logged over 6,000 hours in the Sabreliner and logged a total of over 15,000 flying hours.

After retiring, Keith continued to fly as a private pilot in his Beechcraft Bonanza, with his last flight logged on December 24, 2011. He and his wife enjoyed spending time with their family, the great outdoors, multiple extended canoeing trips, Geocaching (Cluso) and traveling around the world. He was also a pillar of Community Christian Church of Rancho Palos Verdes.

Keith is survived by his wife (Betty) and three sons, John (Jody) Taylor, Jerry (Cheryl) Taylor and Paul Taylor, and four grandchildren.

A private burial is planned. The family invites friends and relatives to a memorial at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 24, 2012 at Community Christian Church of RPV (1903 Summerland St., Rancho Palos Verdes). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a contribution to Community Christian Church, or Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro.

UPDATE: It was standing-room only with many DAFers, congregation members and family present at Keith's memorial service. Great stories were told – a balloon celebration was released. We all learned a little about Keith's bad-boy past and some of his more memorable flying experiences.  One common theme emerged as friends reminisced - how welcoming Keith was to everyone.  We will miss you Keith, and our sincerest condolences go to Betty and his family.

 

 

Flying West

I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die-
A place where a guy can go and buy a cold beer
For a friend and comrade, whose memory is dear;
A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread,
Nor management type would ere be caught dead;
Just a quaint little place, kinda dark and full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke;
The kind of place where a lady could go
And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know.

There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their paining is finished, and their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And the songs about flying and dying are sung,
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west before.
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door;
Who would buy you a drink if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"

And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen for years, though he taught you how to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here.
"For this is the place where true flyers come,
"When the journey is over, and the war has been won
"They've come here to at last to be safe and alone
From the government clerk and the management clone,
"Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise
Where the hours are happy, and these good ol'boys
"Can relax with a cool one, and a well-deserved rest;
"This is Heaven, my son -- you've passed your last test!"

Author: Capt. Michael J. Larkin 
Dedicated to: Capt. E. Hamilton Lee