Captain Randolph Wayne Taylor (Usnr, Retired)

Captain Randolph Wayne Taylor (USNR, Retired) passed away at home on June 20, 2020. He will be deeply missed by his wife and best friend of nearly 30 years Julie Nolan Taylor; his children Tanya Desmond Leblanc, Matthew Wolfe (Angela Franzer), and Megan Taylor-Wolfe (David Rhee); grandchildren Lara Desmond Beaver, William Desmond III, and the late Thomas Rife; sister Joanna Jones; mother-in-law Betty Himel Nolan; brother-in-law Gary Nolan (Gerri Nolan); and his favorite furry babies, Coco and Luci. Randy was born on December 23, 1939 in Wichita Falls, TX to Jessie Meyers Taylor and Ronald W. Taylor. He graduated from Oklahoma State University and joined the Navy in 1964, spending much of his 25-year Navy career as Pilot of his beloved P-3 Orion. He completed numerous deployments, including two during the Vietnam War. His last shore assignments were Commanding Officer, Naval Support Activity, New Orleans; Commanding Officer, Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, Willow Grove; and Executive Officer, Naval Air Station, New Orleans. After retiring from the Navy, Randy spent 22 years working at New Orleans Lakefront Airport, including 14 years as Director of Aviation. He and other key staff remained on duty in the Terminal Building during Hurricane Katrina, and within hours of the storm’s passing Randy began coordinating ground logistics to assist in air rescue and transport operations for thousands of residents stranded in the flooded areas of New Orleans East and lakefront neighborhoods. Family and friends will always remember Randy as an officer and a gentleman with a sharp wit, a love of champagne and fine wines, and a life-long passion for fast foreign cars. No services were held due to Covid-19. Please take a moment to enjoy memories of Randy and raise a toast to celebrate his life. MOTHE FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family during this difficult time. Family and friends may offer condolences at mothefunerals.com.