George H. Taylor III, 73, passed away at his home in Lakeside on Tuesday, March 15, 2005, after a lengthy illness with emphysema.

He was born on Nov. 22, 1931 in West Chester, Pa., to George Hickman Taylor, Jr. and Esther (Browne) Taylor. He lived in the West Chester area until 1947 when he attended the Pennsylvania Military Preparatory School in Chester, Pa. He joined the Marine Corps in July 1950 and attained the rank of staff sergeant prior to being commissioned a second lieutenant in April 1956. After that, he served tours with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, Calif.; the 1st Marine Brigade in Hawaii; two tours at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C.; the Marine Corps Development & Education Center in Quantico, Va.; a tour in Barstow, Calif., what was then known as the Marine Corps Supply Center.

In June and July of 1957 the then Lt. Taylor participated in Exercise Desert Rock VII at the Atomic Test Site in Mercury, Nev. as a member of the Seventh Atomic Brigade in the capacity of radio-logical monitor. In 1971, Major Taylor was a supply representative to the Combat Service Support Group study where he assisted in the development of basic concepts for the Combat Service Support reorganization of the Fleet Marine Forces. In 1977, Lt. Col. Taylor became the battalion commander, First Supply Brigade, First Force Service Regiment, assistant chief of staff, Combat Service Support Group at Camp Pendleton.

In 1981, Col. Taylor assumed duties at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow first as director of material division; then chief of staff until his retirement in 1986.

Col. Taylor's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal; two Meritorious Unit Commendations; the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal and two National Defense Service Medals.

George and his wife, Mary Jane, were married in 1971. In addition to his 36 years in the USMC, he enjoyed gardening, reading and music. From July 1986 to July 1987, he and Mary Jane toured the United States in their motor home, taking in many of our country's landmarks and visiting family and friends. They retired in Lakeside in 1987.

George was preceded in death by his parents, George H. Taylor, Jr. and Esther Browne Taylor of West Chester. He is survived by his wife: Mary Jane Taylor, of Lakeside; a son, the Rev. Steven Taylor of Millersville, Pa.; a daughter, Tanya N. Menotte, of Jacksonville, Fla.; stepchildren Darlene Cranmer of Waverly, N.Y., Robert K. Benner of West Chester, Diane E. Abel of Ephrata, Pa., Mark A. Benner of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Glenn S. Benner of Bakersfield, Calif. He is also survived by two brothers, David Van L. Taylor of Westminster, Md., and Richard D. Taylor of Narvon, Pa; 16 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for George will be on Tuesday, March 22, at 2 pm at Johnson Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Darold Reiner officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to Hospice at 175 Commons Loop, No. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901; the Lakeside QRU, Box 911 Lakeside, MT 59922; or the American Lung Association at 825 Helena Ave., Helena, MT 59601.