Taylor, Donald L.

Donald L. Taylor, 92, of Davenport, Iowa, died Sunday, July 25, 2010, at Crest Health Center in Davenport.

Private graveside services will take place at the Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Ill. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or WVIK Public Radio in Rock Island. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf, Iowa, is assisting the family with arrangements.

He was born Jan. 26, 1918, in Wellman, Iowa, the son of Albert L. and Myrtle B. (Chase) Taylor. He entered the United States Navy in 1942, and was honorably discharged in 1946. Don was employed at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, where he met the love of his life, LaVerne S. Larson. They were married on June 6, 1948, in Norway, Iowa. After 60 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on Aug. 9, 2008.

Don earned his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iowa in 1950, graduating third in his class. While there, he also earned a letter playing for the Hawkeyes golf team. Upon graduating, he accepted a position with Advance Ross Electronics in Burlington. He was promoted to vice president of Operations in 1967. which moved them to Chicago, until 1972. He later retired from Motorola in Joplin, Mo., as plant manager.

Don had a lifelong passion for the game of golf, enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Cubs, fishing, spending time with friends and family especially his grandchildren whom he loved dearly, had a love of nature and traveling. He served on various church councils and was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Bettendorf.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter and son-in-law, Marty and Paul Pearson of Davenport; his granddaughters, Jill Walsh and her husband, Matt, of Bettendorf, and Jodie Pearson and her fiance, Chris Carlson of Cedar Rapids; his great-granddaughter, Ada Walsh; his sister, Geneva McShane, of Clovis, Calif.; two special nieces, Zona Larson and Darcy McShane in California; and a nephew, Mike McShane in Minnesota.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Dons obituary at