Dr. Ruel L. Taylor Jr., 72

May 1, 1950 - August 19, 2022

Dr. Ruel Lewis Taylor, Jr.,72, of Manheim Twp., passed away at home surrounded by family on Friday, August 19, 2022. Ruel was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 1, 1950, to the late Martha (Bennett) and Ruel L. Taylor Sr., the middle of nine children.

He grew up in San Antonio, His four older siblings – Robert, Barbara, Peggy and Herman – have passed before him, along with his brother-in-law, John. He leaves behind his four younger siblings – Norman and wife Lynda of Kerrville, TX, Kitty and husband Carl of Houston, TX, Mick and Audrey, both of San Antonio, TX. Ruel was affectionately known as ‘Pokey’ by his siblings.

Upon graduating from Phyllis Wheatley High School in San Antonio, he moved to Michigan where he went to Western Michigan University, eventually earning his D.O. from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1978.

Ruel was a talented Board-Certified Urologist, as well as a Fellow with American Association of Physician Specialists. As a physician, he was loved by his patients and co-workers. He brought a smile into every room and treated people with kindness and respect everywhere he went.

A loving father and grandfather, Ruel leaves behind four children and 10 grandchildren. His daughter, LaShonda of South Bend, IN, and her children, Andre, Amani, Nigh, Nick and Alec. Amani and her fiancé Jaylen are expecting Ruel’s first great-grandchild this December. Ruel’s second child, Tamika, and her daughter Cynae, are also of South Bend, IN, His first-born son, Ruel L. Taylor, III of Kalamazoo, MI, will carry his father’s name proudly. He and his wife, Destiny are parents to Sydney, Jaden, Morgan and Havana. Ruel’s youngest son, Jordan and his wife, Tianna, of McKinney, TX are expecting their first child and Ruel’s 11th grandchild, also in December. We know that Ruel holds both babies in his arms in heaven before they are even held in the arms of their parents here on Earth.

Ruel also leaves behind his loving wife, Kathy (Reitz) Sheraw-Taylor, and they recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary.

Along with his own children, he is survived by his wife’s children, Eric Sheraw and fiancé, Kinsey of Gaithersburg, MD and Alexandra Mai, her husband Rich and their daughter, Emma of Germantown, MD.

A memorial service is being planned for the near future when all of Ruel’s family is able to gather together to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruel’s memory may be made to Tunnels to Towers (t2t). https://t2t.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/In-Memory-of-Online-Form_Interactive-Online-Form.pdf