Dixfield – George Dewey Taylor, 84, of Rumford, went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife, Vada, on Jan. 10, after a short illness at his son’s home in Dixfield.

He was born Aug. 27, 1922, in Weld, a son of Joseph and Myrtle (Duplisea) Taylor. He received his education in local schools and graduated from Dixfield High School in 1940. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from December 1942 to March 1946, and was stationed in the Mariana Islands, Guam. His sole employer, Stowell-MacGregor (division of Coates and Clark) hired him in November 1940 and he retired as division manager in 1980.

In October 1946, he was happily married to Marie Pearl Dunham and over the next 25 years they raised two mischievous boys. The family had many fond memories of spending summers at Dummer’s Beach, fishing, swimming, boating and water skiing. He instilled in his family the love of the outdoors and nature that lasted a lifetime. In June 1976, he married Wava Stone McMinniman. They spent many happy years together traveling between Maine, Florida and many other interesting sights along their busy and active lives. Wava passed away suddenly in May 1996.

On June 2, 2001, he married Vada Glover, the true love of his life. They spent their short time together cruising Alaska and the Caribbean as well as spending summers in Rumford and winters in St. Petersburg, Fla. On Nov. 27, 2004, Vada departed this world suddenly to serve her Master in Heaven, leaving Dewey’s heart empty and longing to see her again.

His many projects in his life included 22 years as a volunteer tax return associate for the IRS helping the elderly file tax returns for free. He was very active in the Palm Haven Mobile Home Park in St. Petersburg with many activities such as calling bingo, overseeing shuffleboard games, assisting with holiday activities, as well as collecting aluminum cans every Thursday with proceeds donated to benefit the residents. He was always there to lend a hand to anyone that needed it. He enjoyed playing cribbage at the Dixfield American Legion and the Rumford Eagles. He also enjoyed doing his prize-winning cross-stitch projects.

He attended the Weld Congregational Church, Northside Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, as well as the Dixfield Congregational Church. He had a sweet spirit and loved others above himself. He particularly loved his family and had many special relationships, especially with his many grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, his smile, humor, and total devotion and love will forever be in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to share his life with them.

He is survived by his sons, Robert, and his wife, Susan, of Dixfield and Lawrence, and his wife, Katherine, of Peru; stepsons, David V. Glover Sr., and his wife, Laurie, of Rumford and Eric Glover of Buxton; stepdaughters, Anita Parslow, and her husband, Bob, of Dayton, Brenda Edgecombe of Cornish, Cheryl Simonds, and her husband, Harold, of Buxton, Kay McMinniman Buck of Pensacola, Fla., and Donna McMinniman Whittemore, and her husband, Donald, of Farmington; 19 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; a brother, Stanton, and his wife, Maribeth, of Wilard, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister, Edith Wentzell July 2, 2006; her devoted husband, Harding, of the Mexico Fire Department who died in the line of duty on May 5, 2003; and stepson-in-law, Wayne Edgecomb of Cornish.