John Steven Taylor

8/21/1947 - 10/7/2023

"Steve" Taylor was born to Faye Laverne Taylor and James Vestal Taylor. He was the identical twin of only sibling, his brother James "Phil" Taylor. Steve graduated from Del City High School in 1965. He joined the Marine Corps in 1966 and was quickly swept off to Viet Nam. He served for 4 years, gallantly working graves registration aboard an aircraft carrier and was a member of the Marines SLF-BLT (special landing force - battalion landing team) also deploying off aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. He served over 2 years fighting in-country. During his deployment he was also in command of a ship's brig on the USS Oriskany.

When he returned to civilian life he soon found his true passion, being a police officer with the City of Midwest City in 1973. He felt this was something he was born to be and quickly excelled and advanced through the ranks in Midwest City until he reached the rank of Captain. He left Midwest City after serving 17 amazing years with the department. During this time he found his second passion, that of learning and education. He obtained his first Associates in Business at Southwestern Christian College, his second Associates in Law Enforcement at OSU-OKC, his Bachelors in Criminal Justice at UCO (then Central State University), and his Masters in Political Science - Urban Affairs also at UCO.

During his time with the Midwest City Police Department he was also privileged to be sent to the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.

After he left Midwest City he then ended his law enforcement career with Oklahoma City University where he was assistant chief. He played an integral part in changing their security department into an official campus police department with CLEET certified trained police officers. He retired from OCU in 2014.

He loved everything about being a police officer, including shining his leather gear and shoes daily before putting on his neatly pressed uniform. He took a lot of pride in this, which came from his pride in being a Marine. Being in an unpopular war did not matter to him, as he remained until the day he died "once a Marine - always a Marine". Semper Fi......

During these years his hobby became reading everything he could get his hands on about history, wars and conflicts. He was especially interested in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII and of course Viet Nam. He always said that if he hadn't become a police officer, he would have loved to have been a teacher and especially a teacher of history. He had a way of making you feel like you could understand why wars were fought the way they were and always made learning about history extremely interesting.

Steve was always known for having an amazing sense of humor. He loved telling jokes and he loved making people laugh, especially during tense situations. Often he could just tell the punchline of a joke that he told over 100 times and all those around him would still crack up laughing. He also had an interesting way of recanting all of his various "war" stories from either Viet Nam or law enforcement. He had an extremely funny way with words and you would feel like you were right by his side during much of his escapades in law enforcement including a time working undercover narcotics. Steve never shied away from anything that was "dangerous" and in fact he loved the thrill and adrenalin rush. This was why most of his law enforcement career was on "nightshift" as it was much more hazardous than working the daylight hours.

Steve never felt he was any kind of hero during his military service in Viet Nam. He did join the military so he could be a part of the Marines. His mother would tell the story that when he came home from the recruiting office he was so excited. He said he got such a good deal he ended up joining for 4 years instead of 2 years. He was always very grateful he made it out alive. He felt that every day after the service was a gift.

Steve is preceded in death by his father James Vestal Taylor and mother Faye Laverne Willoughby. He is survived by his wife of more than 40 years Ginny Taylor, his twin brother Phil Taylor, and his precious Schnauzers Ralph and Emily whom he absolutely adored (along with the other Schnauzer pairs who went before them). His humor, fun loving spirit and good heart will be missed by those who knew him. He can be heard counting cadence up in heaven. Oorah - oorah.

Steve passed away suddenly on October 7, 2023 at the age of 76. In law enforcement terms, he went 10-7 (out of service) on 10/7. Steve, you will be truly missed and always loved.

If you wish to honor Steve in some way, please consider a donation to an animal rescue/shelter or a veteran's organization.