Richard Leon Taylor was born on July 24, 1941 in Cheyenne, OK and passed away on November 9, 2012 in Midland, TX. He married Phyllis Stefano on April 14, 1976 in Las Vegas, NV and the couple moved to Midland in August of 1989. When he began his thirty-two year career in the natural gas business, the company was known as Pioneer Natural Gas, which later transitioned to Energas and then to Atmos Energy. He retired from Atmos Energy in February of 1998 as District Manager. After retirement he worked for Premier Parking before joining his new adopted family at Cracker Barrel. Because he loved people and making new friends, he gained great satisfaction from doing these jobs during his retirement. Richard was a member of the Downtown Lions Club, Midland Chamber of Commerce and served the United Way.Left to cherish his memory is his wife of thirty-six years, Phyllis Taylor of Midland; daughters, Ronda Moore and husband Ben of Princeton, LA, Becky Herridge and husband Fuzz of Gail, TX, Stephanie Wood and husband Jamie of Richmond, TX and Sylvia Gosnell of Carbon, TX; son, Gary Taylor and wife Rhonda of McKinney, TX; sisters, Jeannie Bright of Woodville, TX, Earnestine Seay of Capitan, NM and Mary Alderson of Lefors, TX; brothers, Jack Taylor of Liberal, KS, Wade Taylor of Tyler, TX and Jay Taylor of Simonton, TX; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, November 11, 2012 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Chapel with pastor Bob Porterfield officiating.,