Andrew Robert Taylor
Andrew Robert Taylor (The Rev. Dr.) was born on December 20, 1938, in San Francisco, CA, to Ernest and Vera Taylor. He died on February 18, 2025.
His family of origin included a brother, David Dalton (deceased) and two sisters, Mary Jean and Elizabeth. He was educated in San Francisco public schools, graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1957. He earned his BA degree from San Francisco State University in 1962, and then upon completion of theological studies, he was awarded the Master of Divinity degree in 1966 from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. He served as pastor of Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Newark, CA, for four years, prior to going on active duty as a Navy Chaplain.
He derived boundless personal satisfaction and professional fulfillment from his naval career, serving in a variety of settings, including three at-sea tours: Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Two, home ported in Norfolk, VA, a repair ship (USS Jason AR 8), home ported in San Diego, and an amphibious command ship (USS Blue Ridge LCC-19), home ported in Japan. His assignments included duty with the Third Marine Division in Okinawa, hospital chaplaincy at the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego, and a tour at the Subase Bangor, WA, home port of the (then) newly constructed Trident submarine. He served at three Naval Air Stations: Jacksonville, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, and Alameda, CA. He was present at the Winging Ceremony when the Navy’s first female naval aviator received her wings. He deployed to the North Atlantic, where he entered the Arctic Circle and saw the long, continuous day/night, and there observed the splendor of the natural light display called the Aurora Borealis. As well, he deployed to the South Pacific where, in the night sky, he viewed the bright stars that make up the Southern Cross. Moreover, he visited every time zone and many of the major cities around the world, all courtesy of the U.S. Navy. Further, midway through his naval career, he was awarded a year (1981-1982) of federally funded post-graduate education at Boston University School of Theology, which he parlayed into a doctorate degree (D.Min.).
Upon retirement from the Navy, he relocated to Yorktown, Virginia. He served as an associate pastor of First United Methodist Church, Hampton, for two years, and then for twelve years, he was pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Newport News. Then, he retired again, concluding forty years of ministry, serving the United Methodist Church.
In retirement, he became an avid gardener (he even enjoyed cutting his own grass!), and he grew prize winning roses. He was also a tinkerer, craftsman and furniture maker in his workshop. In addition, he served as President of the Board of Directors of the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, and as a member on the Advisory Board of the Riverside Wellness and Fitness Center. He was devoted to his family. For him, family life was central. He was his sons’ first coach in little league baseball, and was active with both boys in their scouting activities, as well.
He will be held dearly in remembrance by his wife Sally, of 58 years; two sons, Bryan (Melanie) of Panama City, FL, and Garrett (Tasha) of Kennett Square, PA; daughter, Rev. Becca Minor (Rodney) of Warsaw, VA; and grandchildren, Maddox, Colton, Ava, Dakota, Austin, Ethan (Ayesha), and JeyLynn.
Services will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 2pm at Grace United Methodist Church located at 1209 Country Club Road, Newport News VA with The Rev. Rebecca Minor officiating. The family will receive visitors at a reception following the service. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in the section designated for military chaplains.
The family is grateful to the staff of Commonwealth Senior Living and Regency Health and Rehabilitation center for their loving care. In lieu of flowers and in his memory, you may wish to consider a donation to one of his preferred non-profits: Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, 707 Gum Rock Ct., Newport News, VA 23606, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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