Richard Laurance Taylor, 81, of Crawfordsville passed away Thursday afternoon at St. Vincent's.

Mr. Taylor worked at R. R. Donnelley for 37½ years and owned and operated Top Line Athletics in Crawfordsville for 25 years.  He was an avid sports fan and Dodgers fan.  He loved to watch his family play sports, particularly his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was a director of the Montgomery County Basketball Hall of Fame, director with Donnelley Club, and member of the Crawfordsville Bowling Hall of Fame.  He previously served as an assistant coach for the American Legion baseball team.  He also liked to play golf with the senior group.  He was a member of the Williamsport Methodist Church.

Born Jan. 28, 1939 in Williamsport, he was the son of Harold Alfred Taylor and Weltha L. Cox Taylor.  He graduated from Williamsport High School in 1957.  He married Barbara House Oct. 16, 1960 at Williamsport. She survives.

Surviving family includes: wife, Barbara Taylor of Crawfordsville; two sons, Dan (Kelly) Taylor of Crawfordsville, Dave (Gina Turner) Taylor of Brownsburg; daughter, Sally (Randy) Ray of Darlington; sister, Judy Taylor of Lafayette; brother, Michael Taylor of Rochester, Indiana; nine grandchildren, Maggie Taylor, Lillie Taylor, Matt Taylor, Ellen Taylor, Emily Taylor, Nick Taylor, Erin (Luke) Barry, Lindsay (Jonathan) Emmert, Mitchell (Ally) Ray; five great-grandchildren, Ella, Anniston, Warren, Cate and Graham; in-laws, Bill and Janet Fields of Waynetown, Gerald Mourer of Mt. Vernon; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Glenn, Frank and Bill Taylor.

Due to national health concerns, his family will hold a private graveside service at Oak Hill Cemetery South.  Arrangements were entrusted to Burkhart Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Montgomery County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 334, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.