Tupelo – Cpt. Charles Harlan Taylor, 89, died Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at The North Mississippi Medical Center. A native of McLeansboro, Illinois, he was born December 19, 1921, to John and Flora Meadows Taylor. He served in the US Coast Guard for five years and was a Captain for Victory Carriers which served the Onassis family. During the Korean War, he served in the merchant maries. He was also a pilot in the Panama Canal from 1959 to 1981. During this time he was president of the Panama Canal Association's Union and negotiated their employment contracts. He was a 32 degree Mason and Shriner serving as Potentate and Past Potentate of the Abou Saad Balboa Lodge in Panama. He was also the President of the Southeastern Shriners' Association in 1981, after being Potentate and past potentate of his own temple. He loved the work that provided care for crippled and burned children throughout the world through Shriner hospitals. He was also active in the Knights of York and the American Legion. For the past ten years, he lived in Tupelo and was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2011 at St. Luke United Methodist Church with Dr. Rick Brooks officiating. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of ten years, Frances Ruff Taylor of Tupelo; his daughter, Dr. Pami Taylor (Dr. Vishal Sachdev) of Tupelo; his son, Gregory Alan Taylor (Annette) of Crawfordsville, Fla.; his sister, Norma Kratz of Evansville, Ind.; six grandchildren, Alyssa, Zachary, Alex and Mary Grace Taylor of Crawfordville, Fla., Caleb and Maya Sachdev of Tupelo; his caregiver, Mae Patton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, L'Dora McKenzie Taylor; two sisters, Hildred Hart and Monette Branden; and two brothers, George Taylor and Howard Taylor.

Pallbearers will be Jim Morris, John Morris, Jay Ingram, Marion Cagle, Duncan Clark, Jeff Clift, Chuck Kratz, and Robin Porier.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, P.O. Box 1185, Tupelo, MS 38802; or St. Luke United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 1400 Clayton Ave., Tupelo MS 38804