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Obituary from The Daily Oklahoman, August 13, 1997: TAYLOR, Hugh R., 64, unexpectedly passed away August 7, 1997, after a heart attack. Hugh Taylor, whose daily radio commentaries could be heard on KTOK News-Radio in Oklahoma City, was born in Neodesha, Kansas July 13, 1933 to Henry Rolland and Verna Bernice (Jones) Taylor, both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Neodesha High School, attended Independence Community College, and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma. Upon graduation from OU, in January, 1956, he was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy and went on to the Naval Air Training Command in Pensacola, Florida, where he received his Wings in 1957 and was designated a Naval Aviator. For the next 21 years, Hugh flew light attack carrier aircraft, amassing some 3,600 hours and more than 350 carrier landings. His first term of duty was as one of the SPAD Drivers from the 1957-59 Dambusters of VA-195, whose fortieth reunion, set for September 4-7, 1997 at the annual Tailhook Reunion in Reno, Nevada, bacame a labor of love for him as he managed to contact nearly all the VA-195 officers, along with their biographies, for a Reunion Newsletter. The VA-195 Reunion will still take place. Hugh will be there in spirit. After VA-195, Hugh was assigned for a short time to VA-196, where he continued to fly the AD Skyraider. He then spent three years as an instructor pilot in VA-122, after which he went to CIC (Combat Information Center) school prior to his assignment as the CIC officer aboard the USS Currituck. Unon completion of his tour aboard Currituck, Hugh reported to the Training Command where he transitioned to, and instructed in, the F-9. In 1968, Lt. Cdr. Taylor reported to VA-122 in Lemoore, Ca for transition to the A-7 Corsair II, the Navy's newest light attack aircraft. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to the VA-113 Stingers as their Operations Officer and completed a successful deployment in that capacity. After another year and a half with VA-122 in Lemoore, where he served as Operations and Executive Officer, Hugh was next assigned to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI. Upon completion of his studies, he was selected to become a member of the Naval War College Faculty. He was then selected to command and was assigned to VC-2, NAS Oceana stationed at VC-2 for his XO/CO tour. Hugh was next assigned as the Air Boss aboard the USS America. He completed his naval career on the staff of the Commander in Chief Atlantic Fleet/Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic. While on active duty, Hugh earned a Masters degree in International Affairs from George Washington University and also did graduate work with Pepperdine University in the field of human resources management. Upon his retirement as a Commander in 1976, Hugh was employed by Kaiser-Permanente Medical Care Program as a Management Development Specialist. He later served as Administrator of Management and Executive Development for Hughes Aircraft Company in Los Angeles before going on his own as a mangement consultant. Hugh later returned to his hometown where he became Editor of the Neodesha Sun Register, and then the Post-Dispatch. He began writing full time, producing children's stories and newspaper and magazine articles on politics, managment and computers while living in first Los Angeles then Roswell, NM. Hugh Taylor, throughout his varied career enjoyed theater, speech, and drama. His experience went back to his childhood when he started giving humorous readings at the age of three. He was one of the first Neodesha High School students to go to the State Speech Festival during his junior and senior years. While at Independence Community College, he was active in speech, drama, and radio production. He continued his radio work at OU, and was a member of the University Radio Workshop, acting in radio adaptations of literary works. Hugh performed in amateur community productions and professionally in summer stock and dinner theater. He directed productions in Kansas, New Mexico, and Virginia. His favorite roles were as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, and also as the leads in Promises, Promises, The Good Doctor, Cactus Flower, and Forty Carats. Hugh also had an acting role in Dylan Thomas, which aired on television with the Hallmark Hall of Fame. He played a major role in the Neodesha Arts Association and was the founder of the local summer recreation Theater in the Park project, an immensely successful Neodesha children's theater group to this day. In Oklahoma City, he was known for his KTOK radio commentaries and his signature sign off, "My name is Hugh Taylor, and that's how I see it!" Hugh Taylor was vice president of the Oklahoma State Reserve Officers Association and was a representative to the National Convention in Kansas City, MO last June. The objective of the Reserve Officers Association is "...to support a military policy of the United States that will provide adequate national security and to promote the development and excellence thereof." Hugh married Marrietta Antoinette Tunnel (Correia) on December 31, 1954, his loving and devoted wife of 41 1/2 years, who passed away June 18, 1996. He assisted Marrietta with her event center, The Galleria, in Roswell, NM, providing his public relations skills and loving support. Marrietta, a talented florist and party planner, also shared Hugh's 22 years in the U.S. Navy as an officer's wife. Their devotion and support of each other kept them happy and productive throughout their lives. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mario Thestine Wilkes. He is survived by his 4 children, Cheryl Taylor and her husband, Jorgen Hansen of Port Washington, WI; Sandra Aldern and her husband, Tom of Ramona, Ca.; Deborah Dixon and her husband, Jack of Neodesha, Ks.; and Hugh R. Taylor II and his wife, Tammy of Louisville, CO; grandchildren, Dustin Taylor, Ashley Aldern, Heather and Matthew Dixon, and Lena Taylor Hansen; and a sister, Erma Jean Sweeney of Neodesha, Ks. Hugh Taylor was a loving father, admired for his emotional support, outgoing nature, intellectual abilities, dramatic talents, and love of family. He was a person of tremendous character who loved his country, its values, and its spirit. He will be missed by the many people he befriended. He will never be forgotten. His body will be cremated and his ashes joined with Marrietta's for a burial at sea. Together again. A memorial service is planned for 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 15, at the United Methodist Church in Neodesha, Ks. Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary 13125 N. MacArthur 720-1439. (Hugh's death certificate pronounces his death as August 9, 1997, the day his body was discovered, however his family believes he died August 7, after 12:01 a.m., due to a letter he was writing on the computer at the time of his death and the August 7 newspaper still outside his condo.)
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