The Rev. Richard Taylor Abbot, born Nov. 4, 1924, in Mobile, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008 at Westminster Village.
He served his country during World War II as an Ensign in the United States Navy Supply Corps Reserve aboard the USS Odum (APD-71). During the Korean Conflict he served as a Lieutenant Commander, Supply Corps Reserve, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). He retired from the United States Naval Reserve at the rank of Commander. When not on active Navy duty, he managed his father's nursery business in Mobile, AL.
In 1963 he entered St. Luke's Episcopal Seminary at Sewanee, Tenn., and was ordained to the priesthood in 1967. He served as Rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Birmingham from 1968 until he retired in 1989.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Buck Taylor and James Lloyd Abbot, and a sister, Helen Taylor Abbot.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Portia Fincher Abbot; two sons, Richard Taylor Abbot Jr., of Birmingham and John Fincher (Susan) Abbot of New York; six grandchildren, Elizabeth Adair Abbot, Richard Taylor Abbot III, William Vogtle Abbot, Ross Langdon Abbot of Birmingham, Duncan Ross Abbot and Helen Taylor Abbot of New York; brother, Rear Adm. James Lloyd (Margaret) Abbot Jr. (retired), nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 at St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Westminster Foundation, 500 Spanish Fort Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527, or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Daphne.
