David Harding Taylor

Funeral service for David Harding Taylor will be 12:00 p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2026 in First Baptist Church, Lawton, with Dusty Deevers officiating.

Burial with honors will follow in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends from 5-7 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.

David Harding Taylor was born August 29, 1988, in Ashland, Ohio, to Gary and Melody (Funk) Taylor. He grew up in Scio, Oregon, where he graduated from high school. He later continued his education, earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix.

David proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy, where he received numerous awards and decorations for his service. Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he continued his military career with the U.S. Navy Reserve, attaining the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. During his military career, David completed five deployments, including one to Iraq and four to Djibouti, Africa.

Following his military service, David began a career as a federal wildlife officer, serving at wildlife refuges in New Mexico before joining the staff at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. It was during his time in New Mexico that he met Shay O'Neal. The couple were married on February 14, 2024, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He is survived by his wife, Shay Taylor; three children, David Taylor, Jr., Steven Taylor and Theodore "Teddy" Taylor; his parents, Gary and Melody Taylor; his brothers, Jon Taylor and wife Allie, Benji Taylor and wife Kayla and Caleb Taylor; his sisters, Becca Wulf and husband John and Mary Tompkins and husband Kyler; his mother-in-law, Vanessa Rivero and husband Ruben; his father-in-law, Robert O'Neal; and several nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

Memorial contributions may be made to www.givesendgo.com/support-for-david-taylors-family

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com