Richard P. “Dick” Taylor, 82, passed away in the Stormont Vail ICU, Friday, January 20, 2023. His children and grandchildren left heart-broken were by his side.

Dick was born in Topeka on July 6, 1940, to Richard B. ”Dick” and Dorothy J. (Root) Taylor. He attended Topeka Public Schools graduating from Topeka High School in 1958. Dick enlisted in the Navy 1960, stationed in San Diego and proudly served aboard the USS Lexington. His service to his country was recognized as he was awarded The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He returned home 1964, and alongside his dad began a life-long career in the roofing business. Dick’s dad had purchased Warren Roofing Company in 1958, changing the name to Taylor Roofing Company, Inc., following the 1966 tornado. Throughout his career Dick was a huge supporter of the Topeka Police Athletic League (PAL), serving as President from 1983-84. PAL honored Dick with a plaque for his many years of dedication and service to the PAL Program. Dick with three young sons met Dorothy M. (Henderson-Ceballos) with three young girls while playing softball.

On December 1, 1969, they were married combining their six kids together under one roof to begin making one family. Krista the oldest was only eight and Bill the youngest not even two. Lots of folks said they would never make it…. Dick and Dorothy proudly celebrated 50 Years of Marriage in 2019. Sadly, on May 4, 2020, Dorothy lost her short battle with cancer. COVID restrictions were in place postponing her memorial service. A memorial service “Together Again” for both Dick and Dorothy has been arranged. They spent many years of camping as a family while the kids were young and for many years after the children were grown. The Lucky 5 Restaurant held a special place in his heart and was where the family celebrated special occasions for many years. For over 35 years the two traveled annually to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to vacation, becoming like family to the staff at the resort where they stayed every year. To know him, is to know Dick loved his beer and the German Club of Topeka, where many lifelong friendships were made did not disappoint! The Spot was also a favorite place of Dick’s for years playing Pitch with friends. Dicks friends were many, and the family would like to express our deepest and sincerest thanks to Mike Weisbeck, and Marcia and Garry Moore of Topeka, for staying close to Dad’s side after mom’s passing. Favorite teams include K-State and he was a lifelong fan of the Arizona Cardinals. Dad’s second home was in the kitchen, a great cook and he loved sharing recipes with friends and family. He made dinner every night while the kids were growing up. Dick could start up a conversation with anybody, was a man of his word, was always fair, honest, and had a memory like an elephant to the very end.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister Diane S. (Jerry) Bigham, son Robert W. Taylor (FL), and R. Charles Taylor, Topeka.

Survivors include his youngest son William P. “Bill” (Siobhan) Taylor (AR), daughters Krista K. (Mike) Miller, Jolee J. Ceballos, and Trina T. Ceballos all of Topeka. Grandchildren Kristen A. (Brandon) Taylor, Paul S. (Terri) Miller, Dieter J. Miller (MI), Taylor D. (Stacie) Ceballos, Edward Z. “Zach” Martinez (WY), Trina T. “Tressa” and sister Nikki N. Sands, Rylie Taylor, and Richard P. “RT” Taylor II (AR). Great grandchildren, Nadje and sisters Mia and Lauren Miller, Cooper and sisters Isla and Devan Ceballos, and Isiah Taylor.

Dick and Dorothy were cremated per their wishes. Visitation will be 11:00 am-1:00 pm Friday, January 27, 2023 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, with memorial service to follow at 1:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Police Athletic League of Topeka c/o Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.
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Dorothy M. Taylor
March 24, 1941 - May 4, 2020

Dorothy (79) was born to Tracy M. and Esther M. (Heston) Henderson on March 24, 1941 in Idaho Falls, ID. She lost her one-year battle with cancer on Monday, May 4, 2020.

She attended Topeka Public Schools. She worked over 49 combined years for the Kansas Press Association, the Professional Insurance Agents of Kansas (PIA) and the Kansas Association of Professional Insurance Agents (KAIA). She married Alfred J. Ceballos on July 3, 1959, they later divorced. Dorothy married Richard P. Taylor on December 1, 1969 and they combined their families of six children ages 1 ½ to 8 years old. They spent many years camping as a family and for many years after the children were grown. They traveled annually to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for over 35 years. She was an avid reader, enjoyed fishing, estate sales, and spending special holiday times with her family. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Colleen Walstrom and son Robert W. Taylor. Survivors include husband Richard, daughters Krista (Mike Lynch) Miller, Jolee Ceballos and Trina Ceballos of Topeka. Son William (Siobhan) Taylor, AR. Grandchildren: Paul (Terri) Miller, Dieter Miller, Taylor (Stacie) Ceballos, Zachariah Martinez, Tressa and Nikki Sands, Kristen Taylor, Rylie Taylor, Richard P. Taylor II. Great grandchildren: Mia and Lauren Miller, Nadje Fishback, Cooper, Isla, and Devan Ceballos, and Isiah Taylor. Brother Ken (Diane) Henderson, sister Janet (Jimmy) Gast, brother-in-law, Butch Walstrom, several nieces and nephews, and her dear friend Marcia Moore, Topeka. Other special family members Dave and Janie, Johnathan, and Leah Spears & families (TN).

To my family and friends:
Should I leave you and not get to say good-bye, or should I be able to hold you so we both can cry.
Please know that I’ve loved you always and will forever more.
Ask God to raise me up and let me thru his special door.
So many years of memories, I took the bad with the good.
If I could have changed some things, please know I would.
You have made my life special, keep good memories of me and hold my love in your hearts.
Though you no longer see me, we will never be apart.
Let me go, but not too far.
Look up to the sky maybe God has made me a star.
I love you with all of my heart.
-Wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.