Richard Henry Taylor, 67, of Columbus, MS, passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at his residence.

Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 PM, Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, Ms.  A Funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Kevin Taylor officiating.  The interment will be at Union Hill Freewill Baptist Church in Reform, AL.

Richard "Rick" Taylor was born on April 18, 1955, to the late Jack Taylor and Lonna Jean Robinson Taylor, in Columbus, MS.  He began his career at the age of 18, cutting grass and doing maintenance for Microtek.  He remained employed there for 43 years; working his way up to Vice President of Healthcare OEM.  He was also a long-time member of the Columbus JCs.  Mr. Taylor enjoyed playing golf, grilling, and Ole Miss football.  Taking his furbaby, Lopie, for a ride, or entertaining friends and family; he could be counted on to put others before himself.

Rick Taylor is survived by his wife, Valerie Nickoles Taylor, and pet Lopie Grace Taylor; daughters Shannon (Jeremy) Mullins and Brittany (John) Griffin; son – Chaz Robinson; grandchildren – Madison Claire Waddell, Malerie Amber Nickoles, Macee Taylor Waddell, Maleah Jade Nickoles, Madalynn Reese Nickoles, Maddox Nickoles, Maesynn Grace Carley; brothers – Jackie (Deb) Taylor and John Taylor; sisters Sandra (Jimmy) Hodnette, Pamela (Stan) Wheeler, Karen (Larry) Bond, and Donna Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Chaz Robinson, Bobby Nickoles, BJ Evans, Stan Wheeler, Frank Houser, and Tony McGhee.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Buddy Henry, Alex Withers, Mark Uithoven, Ken Cheairs, Johnny Ellis, Dan Lee, Tico Capote, Charles Aldridge, and friends and coworkers from Ecolab/Microtek.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or Columbus Lowndes Humane Society, PO Box 85, Columbus, MS 39703