Richard S "Smitty" Taylor

Richard S. “Smitty” Taylor of Frankfort, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, at Frankfort Regional Medical Center, just two days after his 85th birthday. Born on March 8, 1941, in Owensboro, Kentucky, to C.E. and Geneva Taylor of Hartford, he was a proud graduate of Hartford High School and Western Kentucky University, where he competed on the golf team. He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi in 1966, serving as president of Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, and was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1967.

Smitty built a distinguished career in law and public service. He practiced in Hartford and Owensboro for twenty years, becoming a partner in the firm of John D. Miller and serving as president of the Daviess County Bar Association. He later held prominent roles in state government, including membership and chairmanship of the Public Service Commission and Utility Regulatory Commission under Governor Julian Carroll, and Secretary of the Governor’s Cabinet under Governor Wallace G. Wilkinson, where he took special pride in the administration’s education reforms. After returning to private practice as a partner with Hazelrigg and Cox in Frankfort, he became an active lobbyist and was appointed Chair of the Kentucky Racing Commission by Governor Paul E. Patton in 1996. He later co-founded Capital Link Consultants, cherishing the many friendships formed through his professional life.

An avid and accomplished golfer, Smitty treasured his victories in the Ohio County Invitational, Greenville Invitational, Owensboro Country Club Championship, and Frankfort Country Club Senior Championship at age 64. He served multiple terms as president of both the Owensboro and Frankfort country clubs and was a longtime member of the Assembly Ball Club and Keeneland Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife of more than forty years, Brenda, his daughter Natalie, his son Brent, and his parents. He is survived by his son Rick Taylor and wife Tiphanie, his brother Everett Taylor and wife Susan, grandchildren Tre Taylor, Ty Taylor, Coen Taylor, Melissa Perry, John Parrigar, and Anna Parrigar, and nieces Heather Arrasmith and Melanie Taylor. The family is deeply grateful to his devoted caregivers Benita Noel, Chase Lantz, and Emily Noel, who cared for him with exceptional kindness over the past five years.