Rudy D. Taylor

Rudy D. Taylor, 78, of Overland Park, KS passed away January 29, 2025. Celebration of life will be held from 4pm-7pm on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Hyvee, 95th and Antioch, Overland Park, KS, celebration of life will be held in the upstairs dining room.

Mr. Taylor was born January 7, 1947 in Monmouth, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by: parents, Evelyn and Charlie Taylor, brothers, Bill and Jim and sister, Sandra.

Survivors include: wife, Celia of Overland Park, KS; sons, Rudy Jr. of Minneapolis, MN and Jason of Macomb, IL; sister, Peggy Milby; sisters-in-law, Sabrina Taylor, Macomb, IL and Claudia Blaylock of Lexington, KY; and many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Rudy was raised on a farm his dad was working on and his life-long work ethic began. By junior high school the family had moved to Macomb, IL and he graduated from Macomb High in 1965. He had jobs all through his school years. He worked in a barber shop, set pins in a bowling alley and had his own shoeshine stand on the downtown square.

Sports were everything to Rudy. He participated from a young age to adulthood. He played baseball and football in high school and he played baseball in an adult league. Rudy also did a lot of refereeing and umpiring. He played golf all his life and relished watching all sports on TV.

Shortly after high school he was drafted into the Army and served two years in Vietnam. His service allowed him to see places in the world Rudy wouldn’t have otherwise been able to. He returned from the Army in 1968 to a changing America. A life lesson all the way around.

Shortly before he left for the service, he married Mary McKee and their first son was born, Rudy Jr while he was away. After his return from the Army, their second son, Jason was born.

Upon his return, Rudy embarked on a long and successful career in the automotive industry. He spent time at Bower Roller Bearings before transitioning into the car business, where he worked for nearly 45 years in various roles, including sales, customer service, and management. His career took him across the country, from Denver to Charlotte, Texas to Atlanta, and finally, Kansas City. He was dedicated and hardworking, never missing a day of work.

In 1987, he married Celia Jarvi who he called his best friend and love of his life. The car business then took them to Atlanta and in 1995 to the Kansas City area. In 2000, they bought their first house together. They enjoyed sharing their home with friends and family and were known for their many festivities. Rudy and Celia enjoyed welcoming all and many will remember countless get-togethers and parties.

Rudy and Celia enjoyed taking vacations. A timeshare purchased in 1987 offered trips to many places. Always a driving excursion, they went to the east coast three times, visiting Block Island, Capecod and Newport. Other destinations they enjoyed were South Padre Island, the panhandle of Idaho, New Mexico, and many trips to Myrtle Beach and Florida. This offered a lifetime of memories.

Rudy was one of the nicest and kindest people you could ever meet. He never knew a stranger and always had a smile on his face. He loved being around people and there was a hug for everyone. Rudy had an inviting presence about him that drew everyone he met. He was very generous and more than once, to a fault! He would help anyone he could and didn’t expect anything in return.

Rudy loved music, particularly Rock and country and they loved to dance together with any chance they got.

We were fortunate to have known such a unique and loving individual and he has led a legacy of a life well lived. He brought joy and happiness to everyone in his life. There will never be another Rudy. Rudy brought joy to many and he and his legacy will truly be missed. The memories made and love shared extend far beyond this space and earthly life and Rudy will never be forgotten.