Ricky Taylor

Ricky Jay Taylor, 55, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2017, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids, on Saturday, December 2, at 3:00 p.m. and friends may visit with family starting at 1:00 p.m. Rick was born on December 4, 1961, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Harris and Wanda (Ayers) Taylor. He grew up in Spragueville, Iowa, graduated from Preston High School, Preston, Iowa, in 1980, and attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. He married Lisa Eyrich on November 26, 1988, in Geneseo, Illinois, and together they had two children. Rick was a lifelong machinist, most recently working at Sadler Machine Company in Cedar Rapids. He loved his job and the people he worked with. He was a member of the Cedar Amateur Astronomers (CAA) and Lovely Lane United Methodist Church. Rick will be remembered for his love of sports, playing cards, and enjoying a good cup of coffee. He enjoyed talking with people (he never met a stranger!) and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Most importantly, he will be remembered for the love he had for his children and how proud he was of them. Survivors include his wife, Lisa, and children, Olivia and Logan, all of Cedar Rapids; his siblings: Randy (Rusty) Taylor, Chicago, Illinois; Rhonda (Randy) Rowan, Spragueville; Rae (Alan) Flor, Sabula, Iowa; Mary (Francis) Mussmann, Clinton, Iowa; and Donna (Lyman) Lindemier, Cottonwood, Arizona. Also surviving are his parents-in-law, Lee and Carol Eyrich, and sister-in-law, Paula (Steve) Schulte, all of Geneseo, as well as many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends he considered 'family.' Rick was preceded in death by his parents and his god-parents, John and Christine Nolting. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the loving care given to Rick by the physicians and staff at Mercy Pulmonology Clinic, Mercy Medical Center, Hall-Perrine Cancer Center and Hospice House of Mercy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rick's honor may be directed to the family.