Taylor Baxter Alkire

Taylor Baxter Alkire, 97, of Gower, MO passed away, Saturday, August 18, 2012 at his home.

He was born on April 25, 1915 in Odessa, MO to Leonard Taylor and Pearl (Bogar) Alkire. Taylor had to quit school early to work for his father’s trucking business. In 1934 he moved to Kansas City and along with his brother Tennys started Alkire Truck Line. On March 22, 1940 he was united in marriage to Beulah Irene Looney. They had two children, Linda Darlene and Larry Taylor. In 1951, the truck line brought the family to St. Joseph were Taylor managed the office until the company was sold in 1966. He was a ranch manager in Eagle Rock, MO and in 1969, Taylor purchased the family farm in rural Gower. His wife, Beulah, passed away October 27, 2010.

He was a member of the Faucett Baptist Church. Taylor served as President for Mid Buchanan School Board, was the First Red Angus Breeder in Missouri, and was a 4-H Leader for over 25 years. Taylor was a wonderful and loving husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa.

Taylor was also preceded in death by his parents, brother Tennys Alkire; sisters, Eva Fitzpatrick and Lena Gibson.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Guthals, Gower, MO, son, Larry Alkire and wife Sue, St. Louis, MO; twelve grandchildren, Angela Dillard, Melissa Lopez, Cheri Lenz, Wendy Rice, Kevin Guthals, Lori Guthals, Bradley Alkire, Brian Alkire, Jonathan Alkire, Kristin Godsey, Robin Alkire, and Joy Alkire; seventeen great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Gene Looney and wife, Barb; other relatives and many friends.

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 20^th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home in Gower.