James Theodore (Ted) Taylor, RADM, USN

James Theodore (Ted) Taylor, RADM, Civil Engineer Corps, USN, of Mirabella Retirement Community, passed away November 26th at the age of 95 years old. Born in Independence, Kansas, to Theodore and Maime Rosalie Taggart Taylor. He was a graduate of the University of Kansas, B.S. in Civil Engineering.

Rear Admiral Taylor enjoyed a naval career that spanned 31 years of active service, from 1952 to retirement in 1983. He started as an Ensign in a Seabee battalion during the Korean War at a Marine Corps air wing, a one-year tour.

Back home, he married a Kansas girl, RosaLea Heath. They lived near Moffett Field, California, where he was assigned. Ted worked at several bases keeping with the engineering in public works, boatyards and construction. Ted was the XO of Seabee Battalion #4 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the missile crisis in 1962. The Seabees were trained to fight and were on guard before the Marines arrived.

Ted and family, now with three children, spent three years in London, England. His job as assistant forces engineer Europe included travel to many NATO countries and LORAN stations.

As a Captain, Ted was a Commanding Officer at the Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, 1976-78. He was also CO at the CEC school, Port Hueneme, California, 1978-1979.

When Ted was selected for Rear Admiral, he went to Washington DC his final duty was with the chief of Naval Operations staff. As director of Program and Planning, overseeing the financial and logistical support of US Naval Facilities worldwide.

After leaving the US Navy, the Taylor’s moved to the Pacific Northwest. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Bellevue and a Board Member of Bayview Retirement Community for nine years.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Roberta. He is survived by his wife RosaLea and children, Amy (Joe) Bone, John Eric (Carol) Taylor and Lacey (Karl) Leigh and seven grandchildren. There will be a memorial in Ted’s honor in the coming year.