James Taylor

Mr. James Edward Jones Taylor, Sr. was born September 13, 1924 as the fourth child of the union between Hugh King Taylor and Lou Emma (Jones) Taylor in Florence, Mississippi. He was called home by his Lord and Savior after a short illness on August 14, 2010 at the Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Taylor professed his love and faith in Christ at an early age. During high school, he completed college preparatory coursework at Campbell College (now Jackson State University) in Jackson, Mississippi. After completing high school, he was inducted into the United States Army on April 3, 1943, during World War II where he served as Sergeant Grade T-4 under General Patton during the invasion of Northern France, Normandy, Ardennes, and Rhineland and throughout central Europe. He was in the 123rd 2nd Engineering FF Platoon. Mr. Taylor was honorably discharged on December 30, 1946. Mr. Taylor moved to Detroit, MI after his honorable discharge where he continued his studies in the field of Engineering at Wayne State University. In 1947, he moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he began his 42-year career with Daimler Chrysler (initially known as Willys Overland). Mr. Taylor served many roles during his career, retiring in 1989 as an Emissions Control Technician. Mr. Taylor was very proud of his election to Union Steward of UAW Local 12. Mr. Taylor joined and became an active member of Third Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Elliot Mason in 1947, and served in many roles at Third Baptist Church including superintendant of Sunday school and chairman of the music department. He was elected to Emeritus Trustee status after having served sixty years on the Trustee Board. He was a long-term active member of the Citywide Christian Trustee organization, In 1948, Mr. Taylor united in holy matrimony with Miss Curtis L. Catchings. To this union, five children were born, one of whom preceded him in death (Edwin Cordell, Sr.), as well as one granddaughter (Benita Camille Alli), in addition to three brothers and both parents. Mr. Taylor was a community leader in Toledo. During the years his children were enrolled at Roosevelt School and Martin Luther King, Jr., School, he served five terms as president of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). As PTA president and during terms as chairman and vice-president of the Area Neighborhood Council, he was instrumental in planning the design of the new Roosevelt School built in 1964 and renamed Martin Luther King, Jr., School in 1968. In 1965, Mr. Taylor was appointed by Mayor John W. Potter to the Roosevelt Urban Renewal District Council which served in an advisory capacity on the Roosevelt School District Conservation Project. Throughout the years of the project, which encompassed 348 acres and affected over 7,000 residents, Mr. Taylor worked tirelessly with other council members and area residents in planning for rebuilding of the Inner City and the development of new housing, a neighborhood park, swimming pool, and other recreational facilities along the Dorr Street Corridor. An advocate of civil rights, Mr. Taylor was also active in promoting changes in working conditions and hiring practices at Chrysler Jeep during his tenure at the company. Mr. Taylor leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Mrs. Curtis L. Taylor, one son (James Edward Jr.), three daughters (Sandra Denise Alli, Sharon R. Taylor, and Sonya A. Taylor), and two sisters (Mrs. Sadie Ravon and Mrs. Lou Emma Kirkland). Six sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews, relatives and friends survive to tell his story. The family of the late Mr. James E. Jones Taylor, Sr. acknowledges, with sincere appreciation, your understanding, your prayers, and all acts of kindness shown at this time of bereavement. Special thanks to the staff at Toledo Hospital, Dr. William Schaffer, Dr. Sarma Katrapati, and Dr. Balhinder Brar. May you be blessed and highly favored. Visitation will be 4-6p.m. Friday followed by wake service from 6-8 p.m. at Dale-Riggs Funeral Home. Funeral Service 11 a.m. Saturday at Third Baptist Church, Rev. Kevin J. Bedford Sr. Officiant. Burial Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.