02/28/2026
Robert Mark Taylor, 68, of Crystal River Fl., passed away February 23, 2026, from many health complications too many to count. He is now in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born June 19,1957 in Islip N.Y., the oldest son of Robert and Hope Taylor. His family moved to Vermont in 1971, and back to Long Island N.Y in 1983, where he started corresponding to the girl he said he'd always loved, Lori Petrie. Marriage bells were ringing. Bob came to visit Lori, from Peacham, Vermont, and Lori realized the second she saw him that he was the one who the Lord spoke to her about to be her husband, and she basically melted into a puddle of love that lasted for 42 years. God literally put them together. Bob and Lori were Married August 25,1984. Their family of 4 boys and one girl moved to Florida in 2002, with the oldest joining the Airforce.
Bob was predeceased by his father Robert Taylor and mother, Hope Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Lori Taylor, his children oldest to youngest; Adam Petrie, Matthew Taylor and spouse Angie Taylor, Christen Taylor and spouse Cristian De La Rosa, Robert Taylor Jr. (Bobby), and Josh Taylor, and his two brothers Theodore Taylor and spouse Shiela and Andrew Taylor and spouse Lisa, brother-in -law Richard Greenwood, and sister-in-law’s Sharon Mudge and Carol McMullen and husband Cliff and many nieces and nephews, and his grandchildren; Madison Petrie, Mikayla Petrie, Reagan Petrie, Katherine Petrie, Evelyn Petrie, Alayna Taylor, Logan Taylor, and Naomi De la Rosa. Bob loved to make his grandchildren laugh and was very successful at it.
Bob had started working for his dad, who was a builder, when he was 17 years old, and pretty much stuck with that line of work throughout his life and when his dad passed away he was on his own, and became a master builder just like his father, Robert Taylor, Sr, who taught him a great deal. Bob was very witty and we will miss his sense of humor. Bob had a great attitude even though much of the time he did not feel well with all the health problems that he had. He was such a testimony to the Glory of the Lord and was always thankful in so many ways. Bob attended church at Calvary Chapel in Inverness, FL, where he enjoyed the fellowship of his brothers and sisters in Christ. Bob was an extrovert who really enjoyed hanging out with his friends. He had many friends outside of the church as well that he enjoyed the company of. Bob would want you to know that he wasn't a perfect man, but he felt that if you belong to Christ you should strive for that and follow Him to the best of your ability with God's help, of course, and reading His word and talking to Him. He had read a biblically based book recently called, The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges, and a bible study was planned this second Friday and fourth Friday of March to go through this book together with friends, but that 2nd Friday he had to be hospitalized and it was Cancelled. He read the book twice and felt so strongly about the message of that book that he felt that the Lord wanted him to share it.
Bob absolutely loved old cars and had a love for the old movies so he could spot as many old cars as possible. He also enjoyed watching golf and hockey. Bob and his friend, Ernie Todd, would constantly be texting back and forth during the hockey game. He played golf often with friends and was especially competitive with his good friend, Mark Taylor. After moving to Florida in 2002 he and his son Bobby went to the races one weekend and Bob caught the racing bug. He was in his own race car within a month and with no prior racing experience he won his first race. He went on to have a very successful 15 + year racing career with countless feature wins in many classes all the way up to open wheeled modifieds. He won the Hobby Stock Championship and many awards such as Fan Favorite, Rookie Of The Year and The Chronicle’s Driver of The Year.
Bob loved the Lord and was always wanting to share as much as possible to those around him who didn't know God or His Son Jesus, and how important it was for them to know Jesus and especially for Jesus to know them; because, someday he’s coming back for a people who delight in his coming and it's important that you know Him, not just of him, and He knows you, not just of you. He did this because he loved those people and cared deeply about their eternal future. Bob loved all 5 of his children, and wife dearly, and was always praying for them. He never held back the truth from them, and again, he did this because he loved them and encouraged them in their relationship with the Lord. Bob did not mince words or candy coat things and this was a strong love that we will miss so much. We love you Bob Taylor. You are one of a kind and greatly missed.
There will be a funeral at Calvary Chapel Inverness, 960 S. US Highway 41, Inverness, Fl. 34450 on March 7th at 3:00 P.M. to mourn the loss of Bob in our lives and to celebrate his presence with the Lord and share the happiness he gave us that will last in our memories forever.
