Steven W. Taylor, 62

January 30, 2022

Steven Wayne Taylor (age 62) Went to be with our Lord on the 30th of January 2022, in Weatherford, Texas after complications from COVID-19. Steve is survived by his wife Maria T. Taylor, and their seven children Sarah Cooper of Florida, Jared Taylor (Andrea Taylor) of Alabama, Angel Lucena (Lisette Lucena) of Virginia, Eunice Armer (Mike Armer) of Lancaster, Daniel Lucena, and Israel Lucena of Lancaster, and David Lucena of California, five grandchildren in Pennsylvania, many nieces and nephews whom he loved very much, and his siblings Kathy Terry (Jay Terry) of Texas, Rebecca Dias of Arizona, Paul Taylor (Kelly Taylor) of Indiana, and James Taylor (Marta Taylor) of Arizona. Steve was a retired pastor and a devout follower of Jesus Christ. Steve’s earthly body will be laid to rest at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania on the 11th of February 2022.

Steve was born on the 24th of January 1960, in Heidelberg, Germany to the late Edward Norvell Taylor and the late Patricia Ann Taylor. He was preceded in death by his mother Patricia Ann Taylor. He was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana where he graduated from Warren Central High School in 1978. He would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Kentucky Christian College in 1982 and a master’s degree from Pacific Christian College in 1996. Steve was an avid writer and wrote numerous articles providing insights into biblical truths and authored several books on spiritual warfare and his journey of faith with his wife Maria.

What is the measure of a man? Should a man be measured by his successes and accomplishments or by his failures? Maybe he should be measured by his words and actions. Perhaps he should be measured by the impact he had on the lives, hearts, and minds of others. How will Steve be remembered the most? As a husband, a father, a friend, a brother, a son? To others, he was a student, a teacher, a mentor, or a leader. To some, he was a soldier serving his country. How can one simply sum up the life of a great man? What legacy did Steve leave behind?

As a husband, he was a steadfast spiritual leader who was devoted to his wife, Maria. Spending time daily with his wife in Bible study and prayer was a major priority for Steve. Because his mind was set on things above (things having eternal value), he sought God’s guidance each day and looked for opportunities to love and serve others with his wife by his side. They were one, they held hands and did everything together, they went for walks together every day, they rode their bikes together, they worked out at the gym together, they went grocery shopping together, they went to doctor appointments together, they pastored a church together, they fed the homeless together, they loved to travel together, they even worked together. They mentored several couples together. They visited the sick and the widows together. They served as house parents for children who lost their parents to drugs, alcohol, death, or prison. They worked in several children’s shelters. They even worked with pregnant teenage girls that ran away from home or were kicked out of their homes by their own parents because they were pregnant. They were truly one. His wife Maria said she could count on one hand the few times he went around the block alone because she was cooking and the neighbors would stop him and ask him, “where’s your other half?”

As a provider, During his years as a minister, Steve often worked two or three jobs to provide for his family. Over the years, he worked as a landscaper, a gas station attendant, a janitor, a furniture mover, a maintenance man, a funeral director, and he even worked in the sporting goods department at Walmart.

As a Christ-follower, Steve devoted his life to preaching God’s word. During his forty-two years as a pastor, Steve worked tirelessly to spread the gospel and minister to those in need. During his time in the ministry, he pastored churches in Kentucky, Indiana, Arizona, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma where he touched the lives of so many people. His strongest passion in life was winning lost souls for Christ. He lived his life so that one day he would hear the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Even in his last days in that hospital room, he was sharing Jesus with every doctor and nurse that came into his room. This is his legacy, his greatest accomplishment.

As a soldier, Steve was in the United States Army from 1985 to 1991. Like his father before him, Steve served his country. He did well in the army and quickly rose to the rank of E-6, Staff Sergeant. In 1990, when his five-year commitment to the army was due to expire, Steve was sent to war. He was deployed to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War where he took part in Operation Desert Storm.

As a father, Steve gave up a promising career in the United States Army to be there for his children and return to his calling as a pastor. He knew that if he stayed in the army, he would miss important parts of his children’s lives. Steve’s priority was obeying the Lord and making sure his children had a relationship with Jesus. He had the privilege of baptizing both of his children and he taught his children to be like Christ and to serve others.

It’s difficult to condense the life of a person into a few paragraphs. If you knew Steve, you knew he had a dry sense of humor. He loved his Spanish Princess. He was good at chess. He had an adventurous spirit and was athletic. He enjoyed playing racquetball and lifting weights. Steve was always physically fit, but he knew spiritual fitness was more important. He strived to stay spiritually fit so that when his life neared its end, he could confidently say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Steve’s sister once said, “Steve was too good for this world.” He was an amazing role model, a loving gentle, sweet, fun, genuine, and sincere man. He was a precious gift to all who knew him. Steve was a giver, he loved to give. On Christmas day Steve and his wife Maria which he called, “His Spanish Princess” would go out blessing the homeless people they could find.

Steve will truly be missed by everyone who knew him and especially by his Spanish Princess.

If Steve was here today he would leave you with this:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19).

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, February 11, 2022 at the Charles Snyder Funeral Home, 414 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 at 11:00 AM. Interment at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery to follow. Friends will be received at the Funeral Home starting at 10:00 AM.

Watch the tribute video