Benny Joe Taylor

Benny Joe Taylor (12/18/1946-6/26/2024)

Benny Joe Taylor (Ben), son of the late Shirley Schooler Taylor and Roy Taylor was born in Bell, CA on December 18, 1946. After WWII the family left California to settle in Allerton, IA. Ben attended Allerton Public Schools and graduated from ACL High School, Lineville, IA, Class of 1965. He began studies at Northwest Missouri College, but his college career was interrupted when he was called to serve in the US Army. He bravely served his country in the US Army 4th Infantry in Vietnam. After Ben's military service, he resumed college and earned a master's degree in education. Ben joined a teacher abroad program and traveled to Myrtleford, Australia to teach English. In

addition to teaching, he traveled extensively in Australia and New Zealand, took hundreds of beautiful photographs, and made many lifelong friends. Upon return to the US, he taught English for one year at Sutherland, IA, where he met his lifelong friend and companion, Glenda Schmidt of LaMars, IA. Ben's next adventure took him to Dillon, CO where he worked at Arapahoe Ski Resort and Keystone Ranch Golf Course. He returned to Iowa and began a 20-year career with the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. After retiring, he went on to work part-time with Menards for 10 years.

Ben volunteered with and regularly attended events with the Northwest Missouri State University Alumni Association, the Des Moines Uptown Farmers Market, Jordan United Methodist Church, and the Allerton Alumni Association.

Ben is predeceased by brothers Bill Taylor and Tim Taylor.

He is survived by two brothers, Steve Taylor of Marion, IA and Mark Taylor (Debbie) of Charlotte, NC; Sister-in-Law Karla Taylor Hayden of Camdenton, MO; three nieces Tegwin Taylor (Carl Lebsack) of Old Town, ME, Melissa Reck (Tim) of Marion IA, and Katie Neely (Jason) of Palo, IA; one nephew, Clint Taylor of Austin, TX; great nieces, Kinsey Neely and Elizabeth Lebsack; and great nephews, Sullivan Reck, Max Reck, and Reece Neely.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date.