TAYLOR RANDY J

WO1 Randy J. Taylor was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/12/2019 at the age of 69.2
Dothan, AL
Flight Classes 70-9 and 70-7
Date of Birth 01/21/1950
Served in the U.S. Army
This information was provided by Grant R. Curtis - obit

More detail on this person: MAJ (Retired) Randy Jack Taylor January 21, 1950 - April 12, 2019, CLASS 70-9/70-7, age 69, passed away Friday April 12, 2019 at home, surrounded by family and friends. Born in Douglas, GA to Ralph Avery and Geneva Hutcheson, he was raised in the Florala, AL area by J. Hubert Taylor and Geneva Hutcheson Taylor. Randy worked at the local sewing factories while in high school until being called to serve his country. He served in Vietnam as an Aircraft Commander for the UH-1 "Huey" helicopter. While with the 1st Cavalry Division, 229th Air Assault Battalion, Charlie Company, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross for a combat rescue mission. He continued flying throughout his military career, logging hundreds of hours in both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. He was married to Sylvia M. Beasley from Eagle Pass, TX for 46 years. Together they raised two sons, Randy J. Taylor II and Andrew S. Taylor, who made him proud every day. He absolutely loved spending time with his grandchildren, Emma-Kate, Jackson Logan, and Owen S. After traveling the world and most of the US, he retired after 22 years in the US Army and settled his family on a small farm in the Chapel Hill Community. He enjoyed operating his successful trucking company, Flying T&T Trucking, Inc., and continued to grow his farm into the sizable cattle farm it is today. Somewhere there is a Vietnam Vet who has told the story to his wife, children and friends about the 20-year-old Huey pilot who was too young to buy beer in the States but flew that chopper with pure guts and skill into a PZ and saved the day for him, pulling him out of harm's way. As an Infantry Company Commander, Randy had a positive influence on the men and women in his command. As a successful business man, he provided many opportunities for his employees and associates. Randy will be remembered far beyond his lifetime, and stories about him will continue to be told for years to come. Memorial and Military Honors were held on Saturday April 20 at Evans Funeral Home in Florala, AL. Memories can be shared with the family at their website, www.evansfuneralhomeal.com.

This information was last updated 06/23/2019

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 07/12/2025