Yvonne (Reel) Taylor |
| Posted 2025-07-19 by mhenderson |
| Published by Yuma Sun on Jul. 16, 2025 - Yuma, Arizona - >> September 13, 1938 - June 27, 2025 << Yvonne Reel Taylor was born in Pourm, Oklahoma, on September 13, 1938, in the heart of the Cherokee Nation during the Great Depression. The entire Reel family later relocated to Somerton, Arizona, in search of work and opportunity. Raised by a single parent, Yvonne began working at the age of 14, packing melons and fruits to help support her family. She was a proud graduate of Yuma High School, Class of 1956. She met the love of her life, Sgt. Jack Melvin Taylor of the United States Air Force, at a USO event in Yuma, Arizona. They were married on May 15, 1958, and lived in Yuma for a year and a half. Their first son, Eddie, was born there. Sgt. Taylor then received orders to relocate to Minot, North Dakota, where their second son, Steven, was born. Yvonne worked at a local radio station as a secretary to help make ends meet. Not long after, they received orders to move to Japan, where their third son, Timothy, and fourth son, Richard, were born. After the Vietnam War ended, the Taylor family moved to California, where Sgt. Taylor finished out his military career. Upon his retirement, they returned to Yuma, Arizona, in 1968. Yvonne worked various jobs to support her husband, who had developed a disability during his service. One of those jobs was at Sears. After Jack's passing in 1975, Yvonne made the decision to become a Realtor to earn extra income. That part-time job soon grew into a full-time career, and she eventually opened her own real estate company. She was joined in business by her third son, Timothy, who helped grow the company into a local success. Owning her own business gave Yvonne a freedom she had never known. She became the President of the Yuma Film Commission, and through her dedication and collaboration with colleagues, they were able to bring major film productions to the area. Films included Star Wars, Black Day Blue Night, The Getaway, Spaceballs, Rambo, In the Army Now, and commercials featuring stars like Brooke Shields and many others. Yvonne also served as President of the Yuma Association of Realtors and was honored as Realtor of the Year in 1987. She served on numerous real estate boards throughout the state of Arizona, all while raising four sons whom she loved unconditionally. She cherished her sons, Edward, Steven, Timothy, and Richard, and her daughter, Maria Robles. She leaves behind her grandchildren: Justine Castro Taylor, Jocelyn Taylor, and Jack Taylor; and her great- grandchildren: Zayne and Aubree Ponce, Legend Moreno, Olivia Renteria, and Jaxston Taylor. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack M. Taylor; her mother, Tillie Reel; and her beloved son, Richard E. Taylor. Pallbearers: Edward Taylor, Steven Taylor, Jack Taylor, Karl Gietzen, Rusty Reel, and Beto Robles Honorary Pallbearers: Timothy Taylor, Charles Reel, George Olinares, and Bart Supplee. Yvonne will be remembered for her strength, work ethic, compassion, and commitment to her community and family. Her legacy lives on in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and all those she inspired along the way. Please join us in celebrating her life, July 25th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Yuma Mortuary, 775 S. 5th Avenue. Grave site will be July 26th at 8:00 am at Desert lawn Memorial Park, 1415 S 1st Avenue. Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun |
Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.
Questions About This Project?