Petty Officer Second Class Taylor Gallant, 22, of Winchester, passed away Jan. 26 during a training exercise with the Navy off the coast of North Carolina.
He was a 2008 graduate of George Rogers Clark High School and member of The Vineyard Community Church in Lexington.
Taylor enlisted in the United States Navy in 2008, and was assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12 in November 2010. He was awarded the following medals: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Expert Pistol Shot Medal.
He is survived by one son, Ethan B. Gallant of Virginia Beach, Va.; mother, Elizabeth “Beth” Taylor Gallant of Winchester; brother, Kyle William Gallant of Winchester; father, Joseph P. Gallant of Richmond; maternal grandparents, William C. and Barbara C. Taylor of Winchester; paternal grandmother, Bernadette Gallant of New Hampshire; three maternal aunts, Karen T. Taylor of Lexington, Amy (James) McCarthy of Lexington, and Jennifer (James) Shofner of Florence; cousins, Claire McCarthy, Cameron McCarthy, Jacob Shofner, and Jonah Shofner; paternal uncles, Robert Gallant and Michael Gallant; as well as Taylor’s extended family in New Hampshire.
A celebration of Taylor’s life will take place Saturday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 32 E. Lexington Ave., with Dr. John Owen officiating.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the church.
Burial will be in the Winchester Cemetery.
Funeral honors and pallbearers will be provided by Navy EOD Mobile Unit 12-Platoon 12-0-1, Navy Operational Support Center Cincinnati and Navy Operational Support Center Nashville.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kyle William Gallant, James McCarthy, James Shofner and Ralph Bailey.
Contributions may be made to the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation, 725 Jackson St., Suite 216, Fredericksburg, Va.
In care of arrangements is the Rolan G. Taylor Funeral Home, 289 S. Main St., Winchester.
