Father Gordon Taylor, 86

Father Gordon A. Taylor, 86, of Motley, Minn., died March 17, 2012, at Lakewood Care Center, in Staples, Minn.

Gordon was born July 31, 1925, in Maynard, Mass., to Harold and Clara Taylor. Gordon married Joanne Dierdorff in 1951.

Gordon enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp where he served in the 20th Air Force in the South Pacific as a gunner-armorer on B-29 Bombers during World War II.

He graduated Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy–religion. He continued graduate studies at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, receiving a master’s degree in theology in 1955 and was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church the same year.

Father Taylor was commissioned a chaplain in the U.S. Army and served military congregations throughout the world.

In 1985, Father Taylor, by special permission of Pope John Paul I, was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood as a married priest in St. Pious X Church in Coeur d’Alene. Later, was pastor for Catholic churches in St. Maries, Bonners Ferry, and priest-in-residence of Arco and Mackay.

Gordon is survived by his daughters, Andrea (Larry) Kenrick, of Motley, Minn., and Hilarie (Jay) Velez of New Boston, Va.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne, in 1986; and parents, Clara and Harold.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at St. Pius Catholic Church, Coeur d’Alene. Interment at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery immediately following the service.

Memorials may be made to the social services funds of the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese, of Boise, through St. Pius X Church in Coeur d’Alene.