Tom Taylor, 81, of La Porte passed away on Wednesday, April 12th at La Porte Hospital.
Tom was born in Lebanon, Missouri on August 16, 1935 to Harold and Kathryn (Johnson) Taylor. On September 8, 1957, he married Carol Cissne, who survives in La Porte. Also surviving are his son, Michael (Colleen) Taylor of Lafayette; grandchildren, Kaela Crozier (Charles) of West Lafayette, Joseph (Carla) of Greenwood, and Thomas (Beth) of Platteville, WI; great-grandchildren Wyatt Crozier, Hayden Taylor, Alex Hill, Alivia Hill, and David Hill; brothers, Max (Sandra) of Gafney, SC and Jack of Texarkana, TX.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by daughter, Susan K. Taylor in 2011.
Tom graduated from Twelve Mile High School and Manchester College, earned an MA from Ball State University, and an MS from Indiana University. He worked as a teacher and counselor in the La Porte Community School Corporation. A member of the La Porte Presbyterian Church, where he was an Elder, Tom was also active in both the Boys Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow. Tom was a member of the La Porte Hospital Association, Indiana State Teachers Association, American Federation of Teachers, Treasurer of the La Porte County Retired Teachers Association, and was a member of the Northern Indiana Modeler’s Association.
Tom entered the US Army in 1957 and served in the Indiana National Guard, rising to the rank of Captain before leaving the service in 1971. He was also a graduate of the Indiana Military Academy. A die-hard Chicago Bears fan, Tom also enjoyed following the Chicago Cubs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football team. He also attended as many of the activities of his grandsons and granddaughters as he could. An avid reader of American History, he also enjoyed spending time fishing on Lake Michigan on board the family’s boat, Boatre Dame.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center on Tuesday, April 18 at 11:00 AM (CST) with Pastor Sally Wicks officiating. Internment will take place following the service at Pine Lake Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Monday, April 17th from 4 - 7 PM and from 10 - 11 AM prior to the service at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center in La Porte.
Memorial contributions may be made to La Porte County Small Animal Shelter, 2855 W. SR, La Porte, IN 46350; The Presbyterian Church of La Porte, 307 Kingsbury Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350; or the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte, 323 Pine Lake Avenue, La Porte, IN 46350.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com