Michael Kent Taylor, 74, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born Nov. 4, 1940, in Hutchinson, the son of Gayle E. and Mildred Maxine (Durham) Taylor.

He attended school at Castleton Grade School, Pretty Prairie High School and Hutchinson Junior College. On Dec. 28, 1958, he joined the Army. He retired Jan. 13, 1979, with the rank of First Sergeant with 3 tours in the Far East. Michael was a Vietnam Vet with five years of combat time. Over 45% of his military career was spent overseas. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in September 2004 with 25 years of service.

In 1959, he married Lynn B. Jacques. She died May 15, 1978. In 1979, he married Elizabeth A. Pauley. She survives. Other survivors include: a son, Ron K. Taylor of Hutchinson; two daughters, Shawn (Phil) Sill of Attica, Carla (Luke) Wightman of Hutchinson; a brother, Roy Taylor of El Dorado; six grandchildren, Jonathan Sill of Guthrie, Okla., 2nd Lt. Owen Sill of El Paso, Texas, Michele Sill of Attica, Danielle Taylor, Kimberly (Justin) Abernathy of Hutchinson, Andrew Fox of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five great-grandchildren, Autumn, Lilie and Caedan Griffith, Aspen Abernathy and Kirsten Fox of Hutchinson; a nephew, Danny Taylor. He was preceded in death by his father, Gayle; mother, Mildred; and a son, James B. Taylor.

Graveside service, with full military honors conducted by Ft. Riley Honor Guard, will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, with Pastor Tom Walters presiding. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday with family present 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hospice House in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.