The Selah Community Days Association has decided to Honor a Selah Pioneer every year!
The Selah Community Days Association's first Honored Selah Pioneer is Charles "Red" Taylor!

Mr. Taylor, has roots deep in the Selah valley, having lived in the Selah area for 82 years. He is the great-great grandson of James Longmire, who led the first wagon train to cross the Cascades through Naches Pass in 1853. He is also the great-great nephew of David Longmire who settled in the Wenas Valley. His great-grandparents were Charles and Laura Longmire who dabbled in business and cattle in the Yakima and Wenas area. Rolly Taylor and Ora Longmire were his grandparents.

Charles "Red" Taylor was born in 1924 to Goldie and Clyde Taylor, at the old Art Smith Place on Longmire Lane. Later moving to the Clemans Place, now the Bass Guest Ranch. Red and his brothers and sisters worked on most of the ranches in the Wenas Valley during his growing up years. His sister, Ora Briscoe and Red are the surviving children of Goldie and Clyde Taylor.

Red married Dorothy Phillips in 1941 and promptly started a gas station, located on the north corner of Goodlander Rd and North Wenas Roads. Duty called him away for the, "Second Great War", where he served in the European Campaign and returned wearing two purple hearts. Returning to Selah, Red opened another gas station where the old livery stable once stood, which is now a church on North Wenas Road. After that, Red purchased a grocery store and ran it from the late 1950's to the early 1960's. Taylor's Grocery was across from what is now the Selah Community Center. Later, he owned a tavern and worked various other jobs. He retired from the City of Yakima as Maintenance Supervisor.

Red deserves this honor due to his approach to life. He exemplifies a loving and devoted father. Red has maintained activities and supported the V.F.W. and Selah American Legion. He has volunteered time to fundraisers and organizations such as Community Days, the American Legion and the Wenas Cemetery.

Everyone is a welcome friend of Charles "Red" Taylor. Red has helped many people in need. He helped many children and families. At the grocery store, he always had soup, and it was there for the taking by customers in need! Customers in hard times would get their groceries in trade. Red knows his loyal customers have not forgotten the help they received from him and his wife. Red always said, "Without his customers, he would not be in business."

Red and his wife Dorothy always worked to keep extended family ties. They provided an example and opportunities for unity. The Longmire Picnic, which consisted of over 400 family members, gathered at Red's cabin. Red lived simple and treated everybody as equals. His family couldn't be prouder of their father and what he's done. He still gets out to watch his great-grandkids and relatives play for Selah Parks and Recreation, school sports and Legion baseball.

Reds kids Sonja Glover, Stan Taylor, Cindy Laurvick and Pam Glover say words and a few paragraphs can't portray an appropriate summation of our father's life. Only personal interaction and stories can give an appreciation for the depth of character and approach to life. We hope you know Red Taylor already. If not we wish you'd have a chance to meet him.

If you know someone that you think should be Honored as a Selah Pioneer that is still alive! Fill in the below forms information and send it to the Selah Community Days Association Board. There are NO Guaranties that your choice will be picked!

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