Richard F. Taylor Jr., 61, owner of Richard Taylor's Tree Service in Matthews, N.C., died May 11, 2018, at Southeastern Hospice House in Lumberton. The cause was lung cancer, said Deborah T. Taylor, his wife of almost 27 years.

The only son of five children, Taylor was "the heart of the family," his sisters always said.

"He was the heart of the family because he was always giving, and always thought of others first," said sister Janice T. Sellers of Fairmont, N.C.

Taylor's family and friends appreciated his stories, pranks and quick-witted humor. The humor ran the gamut from wonderfully smart to raucously earthy -- and always good-natured charm.

"He always had a good story, always had some quick, snappy comeback, always making you laugh . . . but would give you his last tank of gas if he knew you were on empty," nephew David Harrington of San Diego wrote on Facebook.

Harrisgton, who likened his uncle's appearance and humor to those of standup comedian Ron White, said he imagined Taylor now sharing heaven with "Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, George Carlin and Rodney Dangerfield."

"I don't know how heaven can possibly contain such personality," he added.

Taylor never took himself too seriously and easily made people feel as though they were talking with an old friend.

He ran a successful Charlotte-area business providing expert tree removal and related landscaping and garden care services.

"Dick was a hard worker, usually working 10 to 12 hours a day and always making sure his customers were completely satisfied with the job he had done," said Debbie Taylor.

"His employees loved him and respected him, not just because he was fair and knew the business very well, but also because he was fun to be around," she said. "He had a special, rare charm."

Born in Lumberton Aug. 13, 1956, Richard Franklin Taylor Jr. was the son of Richard F. and Betsy R. Taylor. He graduated from Lumberton Senior High School in 1974.

Taylor married Debbie Tew Taylor, chief compliance officer of BB&T Investment Services Inc., Aug. 17, 1991.

Taylor is survived by his parents, step-mother Lenore Taylor, wife, sisters Susan L. Anderson of Lumberton; Janice E. Sellers and husband Keith of Fairmont, N.C.; Elizabeth (Betsy) T. Harrington of Burlington, N.C., and Barbara A. Robinson of Pembroke; half-sister Ann Taylor of New Orleans; a son, Richard C. Taylor of Monroe, N.C., a daughter Christina Ann Boyce of Lumberton, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, five nephews and three nieces.

A memorial service is to be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1202 N. Chestnut St., Lumberton. The Rev. Gene Wayman and Rev. Trent Haywood will officiate. Visitation at the church will be from 1 to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Debbie Taylor invites contributions to be made to Huntington's disease charity HD Reach, 1004 Dresser Court, Suite 107, Raleigh, NC 27609, hdreach.org .