(December 25, 2002)
A memorial service was celebrated Saturday, Dec. 28 at the First Baptist Church in Thermopolis for H. Scott Taylor, 87, who died Christmas Day, Dec. 25 at Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital of heart failure.
He was born April 10, 1915, in Trenton, N.J., to Harold S. and Maria (Pillsbury) Taylor and attended schools in Springfield, Mass., and New Hampshire. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1939 with a degree in economics and political science.
He attended Cornell College to study pomology (growing of apple trees) from 1939-1940. He later joined the naval reserve in September 1940, then attended the Naval Academy to take a four-year course in engineering which was completed in 90 days. He was commissioned an ensign serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He was discharged from the navy after World War II as a full lieutenant.
He married Ercil Thompson May 17, 1941. They purchased the Star Plunge in Thermopolis in April of 1946. They owned the facility until 1975.
During the 1950s, he was superintendent of the Hot Springs State Park for six years. In 1961, he became a State Farm Insurance agent, retiring at age 78 in 1993.
On Oct. 13, 1999, he married Elizabeth Schiltz of Powell. They were later divorced.
He was involved in the community; from politics to the schools and service clubs, including Rotary.
He was blessed with good health and a loving family.
Survivors include two sons, Scott III and wife Jackie of Cheyenne and Wedgwood and wife Kathy of Thermopolis; three daughters, Faye Taylor and husband Allen of Modesto, Calif., Constance of Thermopolis and Kimberly of the Lander Training School; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, wife and sister.
Memorials may be made to the Hot Springs County Senior Citizens Center, 206 Senior Ave., Thermopolis, 82443.