Ray Jones Stanclift Jr.

Ray Jones Stanclift, Jr., 90, of Sun City Center, FL, died at home March 9, 2010, as he lived, with courage and dignity. &nbsp;<br />Ray was born January 24, 1920 in Washington D.C., the only child of Colonel Ray Jones Stanclift and Lucy Jane Watson Stanclift.&nbsp; Most of his early years were spent on the army post at Fort Sam Houston where his father served as the Chief of the US Army Veterinary Corps.&nbsp; He was 9 when his dad retired after 30 years of service to our country and moved to the family farm in Kansas.&nbsp; These were great years working the land, caring for the animals, and doing a lot of hunting, fishing and hiking with his cousin and best friend, Bruce Watson.&nbsp; He was baptized at Overland Park Presbyterian Church and attended the church sponsored Scout Troop #94 where he earned his Eagle, the highest ranking honor in Boy Scouts. &nbsp;<br />Ray was the First Graduate in Chemical Engineering from Kansas University in 1941.&nbsp; As Army Reserve, he was called to active duty a few months later for ‘a year and a day’.&nbsp; He often joked ‘that was a long day’ as he proudly served as a chemical officer, advancing to the rank of Major, in the Pacific arena until after WWII came to an end in 1945.&nbsp; By 1951 he had earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Kansas University&nbsp; and embarked on a 31 year career with Exxon culminating with responsibilities for marine transportation of chemicals worldwide. <br />While in the South Pacific he met his bride to be, Dorothy Jane Lewis, who was serving our country as a Navy Nurse during WWII.&nbsp; They married Dec. 6, 1945, and began a long and wonderful life together.&nbsp; Their favorite passions were family and traveling throughout the world (to 140 countries!), making friends with people everywhere they went and exploring the many cultures, artwork, music and lands of other places.&nbsp; His other passion through the decades was following the stock market with his broker and friend Bruce Burrows.&nbsp; He was honored to be a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church where he worshipped his living Lord.<br />Ray was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife Dotty (1993).&nbsp; He is survived by his children, John Ray (Kathy) Stanclift of Torrance, CA; Mary Stanclift Hirsch of Sun City Center, FL; Jill Stanclift of Vancouver, WA; as well as his grandchildren Brianne, Kyle, AnnaBrodea and Richard Zachary.<br />Donations may be made in honor of Ray Jones Stanclift, Jr. to Kansas University Endowment, Attn: Judy Wright, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS, 66044.<strong>TAYLOR, Richard (Dick) W.</strong>Richard W. (Dick) Taylor,&nbsp; 87, of Sun City Center passed away on March 9, 2010.&nbsp; He was the loving husband of the late Jacqueline F. Taylor; and is survived by his sister Helen Oliver of Hillsboro, NH; son Bruce Taylor and wife Christine of Sterling, VA.; son Barry Taylor and wife Brenda of Westminster, MD; and daughter Cheryl Openshaw and husband Jay of Norfolk, VA.&nbsp; He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Christopher Taylor, Tracy Taylor, Tracy Rouchard, Jamie Kendellen, Brian Chapline, Nicholas Taylor, Richard Chapline; and 6 great grandchildren.&nbsp; He also leaves behind his loving companion Yoshie Witty. <br /> In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard Taylor’s memory can be made to the Sun City Hospice House, 3723 Upper Creek Dr., Ruskin, FL 33573.