Obituary of Rodney Taylor

Rod Taylor, 60, passed away peacefully in his sleep early in the morning of May 31st 2015, from complications of MS. He died in the home he shared with his life partner and former spouse, Lucie Taylor. Rod was born in Oregon City on November 17, 1954 to Theodore Donald and Sheila Margaret Taylor (Sheila Cramer). His father died when Rod was very young, and Rod grew up in a series of foster homes until he was reunited with his mother after her marriage to Bill Hickey of Lakeview, Oregon. He spent his teenage years in Lakeview, and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1973. He worked on the Hickey ranch and later on many farms in the Eugene area. Rod was married to Lucie VanDevender August 30, 1998 at the Eagles Lodge in Eugene, Oregon. They were divorced in December of 2011. He worked in the Eugene area in construction. He had a love for cars, and spent time tricking out his vehicles over the years. He was an avid Oregon Duck fan, attending all of the home football games with Lucie, until he was unable to do so. He loved working in his vegetable garden and keeping his yard nice. He kept rabbits, chickens, and fish. He was diagnosed with MS in December of 2011. The disease was aggressive, and he soon lost the ability to walk and was unable to care for his animals, garden, or yard. Rod is survived by his sister, Teresa (Trish) Perrier of Eugene, his brother Gary Taylor of Lakeview, a half-brother, Michael Hickey of Bend, three half-sisters, Susan Hickey of Cathlamet WA, Tammie Reid of Bend, Bobbie Hickey of Lakeview, and many extended family members. Services for Rod will be held Friday, June 5th at Lane Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, 5300 W 11th Ave, Eugene, OR, viewing from 12 noon to 1:30 pm, funeral service to begin at 2:00 pm, informal reception and interment to follow. Family and friends are invited to attend the services.