John Allen Taylor, 78, of Richmond, died Monday, January 18, 2021, at North Kansas City Hospital.

John was born on May 2, 1942, in Des Moines, IA, the son of John Frederick and Ellen (Montgomery) Taylor.  He was united in marriage to Althea Ansell of Kansas City on June 27, 1991; she survives of the home.

Additional survivors include: two sons, John (Rebecca) Taylor of Iowa and Patrick Taylor of San Diego, CA; two daughters, Teresa (John) Wolf of Iowa and Michelle Collins of Iowa; five grandchildren: Joe (Allie) Lauritson, Madison (Tanner) Lemon, Izabella Taylor, John Taylor, and Kameron Taylor; 4 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Joan Grover of Belleville, KS, Janet Taylor of Urbandale, IA, and Debbie (Kelly) Canfield of Adele, IA; and two brothers, Ken (Nancy) Taylor of Clive, IA, and Bernie (Kim) Taylor of Des Moines, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Tom Grover.

John was born and raised on a farm in Williamson, IA.  He moved to Anderson, CA, in 1956, with his family.  He then moved back to West Des Moines, IA, in 1957, where he attended Valley High School and graduated in 1960.  After graduation, John enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, where he proudly served his country.  In 1985, he moved to Kansas City, MO, where he met his wife in 1991 and they married that same year.  In 2000, they moved to St. Louis, where he managed an auto parts warehouse.  Then in 2002, they moved to Minnesota, where he managed another auto parts warehouse.  In 2005, they moved to Richmond.  He retired in 2020 and began working for Direct Transit.  John loved sports and every chance he got he wanted to see his grandkids play in any sport they were in.  He liked playing cards with his family, doing construction projects, and loved the outdoors.  John was of the Baptist faith.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Cremation with services to be held at a later date in Iowa, with burial in the Iowa State Veterans Cemetery.  Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond is in charge of arrangements.  Please remember to share your memories of John with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com .