Don Taylor, 74, senior vice president of Hi-Way Equipment Company Inc., lost his battle with lung cancer March 1.

He was at his home in Bellaire, TX, with his wife, Dottie, and two daughters. His two sons had recently visited.

Taylor was born in Detroit, MI, on Oct. 4, 1931, graduated from Redford Union High School in Redford Township, MI, where he was a standout track and cross country runner.

He also graduated from Lawrence Institute of Technology in Detroit.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and spent 15 months in combat on the Main Line of Resistance in Korea, serving with the 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Division.

Following the war, he began his career with heavy equipment starting as a mechanic’s helper and rising to the position of vice president/general manager at Earle Equipment Company in Detroit and Romulus, MI.

During this period he was active in the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), serving on the AED Dealer Council.

Late in 1984, he moved to Houston, TX, as sales manager of Cranetex Equipment Company.

In 1986, he became vice president/general manager of Hi-Way Equipment Company, Houston, TX, from which he semi-retired in 1997, although he continued working on special projects for Hi-Way on a part time basis.

Taylor truly enjoyed the equipment business with all of its challenges and all of the successes he would not have chosen a different field.

He made friends all across the United States, Canada, Mexico and much of the world. His friends were customers, manufacturers and even competitors.

The family has asked in lieu of flowers a memorial gift could be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7901 Westview Dr., Houston, TX 77055, or the hospice, which provided care and comfort for Taylor, Odyssey Health Care Hospice, 2636 South Loop West, Suite 210, Houston, TX 77054, or a charity of your choice.

Cards and letters can be sent to The Taylor Family 5202 Palmetto, Bellaire, TX 77401.

Taylor’s family and his family at Hi-Way would like to offer a heartfelt thank you for the prayers, cards and well wishes from everyone.

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