The community of Colorado Springs, Colorado is mourning the death of Ronald Theodore Taylor Sr., a retired United States Air Force veteran who passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2026, at the age of 90.
Ronald was born in Hazel Park, Michigan, on September 26, 1935, but spent most of his life in Colorado Springs, where he served his country, raised his family, and became part of the fabric of the community. His family’s tribute remembers him not only for his years in uniform, but for the ordinary joys and habits that made him unforgettable to the people who loved him. He was the kind of man whose presence lingered in both stories and routines, the sort of father and grandfather whose personality could be summed up in a favorite phrase and a few cherished traditions.
He loved heading to Cripple Creek, where the casino lights, sounds, and mountain air clearly gave him a kind of happiness his family delighted in watching. At home, he was equally devoted to Momo Garza’s hot sauce, using it on his eggs so faithfully that his loved ones joked it was practically medicinal. Those details, paired with the memory of his signature “Oh, for crying out loud!” stories, reveal a man who brought humor, familiarity, and warmth into everyday life.
Ronald Theodore Taylor Sr. is survived by his sister Patrice Johnson of San Diego; his son Ronald Theo Taylor Jr. and daughter-in-law Pauline Taylor-Dijo of Aruba; his daughter Cheryl Taylor and son-in-law Herbert Burchfield of Texas; and grandsons Kristopher Lee Burchfield, Lucas Bryce Taylor, and John Adams. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack Taylor, and his son Mark Allen Taylor. He leaves behind a family who will miss him deeply and carry forward the stories, sayings, and memories that made him Ronald.