Tributes

Taylor, Benjamin Frazier, "Coach Ben", age 63, of Bellaire died Sunday, Jan 15th at his home in Key Ridge after a brave battle with ALS. He was born July 25, 1948 in Bellaire, Ohio, son of the late E. Frazier and Martha Lois Belt Taylor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by infant siblings, Jonathon and Elizabeth, his paternal grandparents, Herman and Lucia Taylor, and his maternal grandparents, Ben and Mary Keyser Belt. Ben was a lifelong member of the Belmont Presbyterian Church in Key Ridge. Ben was a graduate of Bellaire High School and Muskingum College where he was a proud Mace brother. Following graduation, he fulfilled the role of supervisor for North American Coal and served as an insurance agent. His avocation and life passion was his family and his love of playing and coaching baseball and softball that took priority over every other aspect in his life. Nothing was more important than being at the ball field. His life was dedicated to the sport that meant the most to him. He played or coached his entire life beginning in 1955 at age 7. He founded the East Ohio Girls' Fast Pitch Softball League, the East Ohio Girls' Fast Pitch Softball Spring and Fall League, Eastern Ohio Fall Baseball League, and the Women's Fast Pitch College Summer League. With great pride he coached many men's baseball teams beginning at age 19, but he fell in love with softball while coaching his eldest daughter, Amy. In recent years he has been simultaneously coaching Bellaire St. John's High School teams, the Buckeye Stealers High School Softball team, Road Runner Power 18U Travel Softball, the East Ohio Power 23U Travel Softball, and a recent honorarium league called "Coach Taylor's" College Fast Pitch League. His eternal quote was and always will be is " I would rather be at the ball field." Surviving are his wife of 39 years who devoted her life to his care over the last 2 years, Jennifer; and his three children: Amy Taylor-Sheldon of Bucyrus ,OH with husband David and their two daughters, Caroline and Paige; Alyson Taylor of Bellaire, Ohio; and Benjamin Taylor II of Winchester, VA. with wife April, and their two sons, Benjamin III and Noah as well as his favorite brother and sister Donald H. Taylor and MaryLu Hutchins and their families. Also surviving is his constant faithful companion, his dog, Rudy, also known as Junior Son. Family will receive friends, former players, and teammates Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at Grisell Funeral Home at 400 33rd Street, Bellaire from 5-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 from 2-9 p.m. Services and burial will be held on Thursday, January 19th at 11 a.m. at Belmont Presbyterian Church in Key, Ohio with close friends, Don Cordery and Pastor Peter Walburn officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to Progressive Bank, 426 34th Street, Bellaire, OH 43906 c/o Benjamin and Jennifer Taylor to support "Ben's Field" at the I-470 Wheeling Recreation Sports Complex. This will keep Ben's dream alive because truly he will always be "at the ball field."

Tributes

Taylor, Frazier "Ben"

January 15, 2012