Lawrence “Rocky” Paul Taylor, 52, of Masontown, W.Va., passed away Saturday, April 11, 2020, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.
Lawrence was born in Fort Knox, Ky. on June 28, 1967, a son of the late Alan “Buck” M. Taylor and the late Polly Ann (Beveridge) Taylor.
He served his country in the US Army Reserves during the Iraq War with tours in Iraq and Kuwait. Rocky received his master’s degree from WVU in social work and was employed by the WVDHHR Child Protective Services as supervisor, serving Preston, Taylor and Barbour Counties. His co-workers referred to him as being one of the most generous people they knew and he took great pride in helping his clients. He looked for ways to acknowledge his employee’s achievements and often had ceremonies for them. He was a member of the Sabraton Baptist Church, Masonic Lodge, local VFWs and Hogs and Heroes Foundation, where he served as president. He enjoyed camping at Romney with his son, Seth, and their dog, Gunner.
Lawrence is survived by a son, Seth Taylor, of Kingwood; a daughter, Polly Taylor, of Kingwood; five sisters, Sheri “Tabby” Fincher and husband Ron, of Willow Spring, N.C., Tammy Lynn Shifflett, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Bobbi Jo Shultz and husband Neil, of Connellsville, Pa., Betty Jo Taylor, of Dallas, and Toni Snodgrass; two brothers, Alan M. Taylor Jr. and Vernon Shifflett, both of Masontown W.Va.; stepmother, Mary Ann Taylor of Masontown W.Va.; many nieces and nephews in West Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and Pennsylvania and many cousins in Ohio and West Virginia.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Debbie Sue Taylor.
Due to this unknown time with the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a private graveside service at Mount Zion Cemetery with Dr. Ron Fincher officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Preston County Honor Guard and the WVANG Honor Guard.
Donations can be made in Rocky’s memory to Operation Welcome Home, 452 Mylan Park, Morgantown, WV 26501.
Condolences:
www.fieldfuneralhome.com
