James Ray Taylor passed away on September 10, 2021 in Allen, Texas. He was born in Lamesa, Texas on October 19, 1933 to Elsie and Owen Taylor. Ray was a miracle child, in that he was premature and weighed around 3 pounds at birth. It was told that he was kept in a shoebox when he first came home from the hospital.
Growing up in Lamesa, he and his family were active at First Baptist Church. Ray played sports and enjoyed Boy Scouts. He loved telling stories of riding his horse, Clarence, across Dawson County. In high school, he excelled in athletics, was an All-State receiver and earned a football scholarship to TCU. There as a punter, defensive safety and half back, he was named All Southwest Conference. TCU won the SWC title his senior year and played in the Cotton Bowl. After college he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but chose to play in the Canadian Football League. A shoulder injury ended his football career. Ray was a dedicated TCU alumni. He was inducted into the TCU Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
While at TCU, Ray majored in business and graduated in 1956. He was a member of the ROTC Air Force program and Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He met Sandra Saunders at TCU and they married in September of 1956. After Sandra graduated, Ray received a Second Lieutenant commission in the U. S. Air Force as a navigator. He was stationed in San Antonio, Houston and Biloxi. After his 3 year tour of duty, they moved to Dallas where he worked for Traveler's Insurance. In 1963, they moved back to Fort Worth. Ray worked for the Harold Nowlin Company and later became a partner. He earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. Later the company merged with Alexander & Alexander. Ray went from the Managing Vice-President of the Fort Worth office to Southwest Regional Director and was a member of A&A's Global Retail Board. He retired in 1994.
Ray loved the Lord. He made his profession of faith when he was 9 in Bible school in Lamesa. He, Sandra and his family were active at Travis Avenue Baptist Church for over 50 years. He served as a Sunday school teacher, department director, deacon, chairman of the deacons, chairman of the finance committee, pastor search committee and leader of the Dowdy prayer group. Ray was on the Advisory Council of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and served on the Annuity Board (later Guidestone) of the Southern Baptist Convention for 10 years.
Upon retirement, he and Sandra split their time between Fort Worth and Fraser, Colorado. He loved playing golf and often commented that he could play golf all summer in Fraser without breaking a sweat. They would return to Fort Worth when TCU had their first home game. He loved to host people in their home. He was a dedicated husband, father to his daughters and Pops to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Sandra; his parents, Elsie and Owen Taylor; his brothers, Dr. Owen Taylor, Jr., and Bill Taylor; son-in-law, David Draper; sister-in-law, June Taylor; in-laws, Charles and Elaine Saunders; and brothers-in-law, Jerrell Gleaves and Skip Edblom.
He leaves behind three daughters, Meredith Tarrant and husband, Jim, Michelle Sims and husband, Stewart and Melissa Taylor; five grandchildren, Katy Burbank and husband, Michael, Amy Olsen and husband, Zach, Cole, Sara and Samantha Sims; four great-grandchildren, Elijah and Hosanna Olsen, Bryleigh and David Burbank; sisters-in-law Sally Bushnell and Bette Taylor; and many nephews, nieces and dear friends. His family would like to thank the staff at Avalon Memory Care in Allen, Texas for making this last year such a great one.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 9th at 12:00 p.m. at the Greenwood Chapel in Fort Worth and burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Avalon Memory Care, 750 N. Greenville Ave., Allen, Texas, 75002; TCU football scholarship fund; or the charity of your choice.
Growing up in Lamesa, he and his family were active at First Baptist Church. Ray played sports and enjoyed Boy Scouts. He loved telling stories of riding his horse, Clarence, across Dawson County. In high school, he excelled in athletics, was an All-State receiver and earned a football scholarship to TCU. There as a punter, defensive safety and half back, he was named All Southwest Conference. TCU won the SWC title his senior year and played in the Cotton Bowl. After college he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but chose to play in the Canadian Football League. A shoulder injury ended his football career. Ray was a dedicated TCU alumni. He was inducted into the TCU Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
While at TCU, Ray majored in business and graduated in 1956. He was a member of the ROTC Air Force program and Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He met Sandra Saunders at TCU and they married in September of 1956. After Sandra graduated, Ray received a Second Lieutenant commission in the U. S. Air Force as a navigator. He was stationed in San Antonio, Houston and Biloxi. After his 3 year tour of duty, they moved to Dallas where he worked for Traveler's Insurance. In 1963, they moved back to Fort Worth. Ray worked for the Harold Nowlin Company and later became a partner. He earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. Later the company merged with Alexander & Alexander. Ray went from the Managing Vice-President of the Fort Worth office to Southwest Regional Director and was a member of A&A's Global Retail Board. He retired in 1994.
Ray loved the Lord. He made his profession of faith when he was 9 in Bible school in Lamesa. He, Sandra and his family were active at Travis Avenue Baptist Church for over 50 years. He served as a Sunday school teacher, department director, deacon, chairman of the deacons, chairman of the finance committee, pastor search committee and leader of the Dowdy prayer group. Ray was on the Advisory Council of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and served on the Annuity Board (later Guidestone) of the Southern Baptist Convention for 10 years.
Upon retirement, he and Sandra split their time between Fort Worth and Fraser, Colorado. He loved playing golf and often commented that he could play golf all summer in Fraser without breaking a sweat. They would return to Fort Worth when TCU had their first home game. He loved to host people in their home. He was a dedicated husband, father to his daughters and Pops to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Sandra; his parents, Elsie and Owen Taylor; his brothers, Dr. Owen Taylor, Jr., and Bill Taylor; son-in-law, David Draper; sister-in-law, June Taylor; in-laws, Charles and Elaine Saunders; and brothers-in-law, Jerrell Gleaves and Skip Edblom.
He leaves behind three daughters, Meredith Tarrant and husband, Jim, Michelle Sims and husband, Stewart and Melissa Taylor; five grandchildren, Katy Burbank and husband, Michael, Amy Olsen and husband, Zach, Cole, Sara and Samantha Sims; four great-grandchildren, Elijah and Hosanna Olsen, Bryleigh and David Burbank; sisters-in-law Sally Bushnell and Bette Taylor; and many nephews, nieces and dear friends. His family would like to thank the staff at Avalon Memory Care in Allen, Texas for making this last year such a great one.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 9th at 12:00 p.m. at the Greenwood Chapel in Fort Worth and burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Avalon Memory Care, 750 N. Greenville Ave., Allen, Texas, 75002; TCU football scholarship fund; or the charity of your choice.
James Ray Taylor passed away on September 10, 2021 in Allen, Texas. He was born in Lamesa, Texas on October 19, 1933 to Elsie and Owen Taylor. Ray was a miracle child, in that he was premature and weighed around 3 pounds at birth. It was told that he was kept in a shoebox when he first came home from the hospital.
Growing up in Lamesa, he and his family were active at First Baptist Church. Ray played sports and enjoyed Boy Scouts. He loved telling stories of riding his horse, Clarence, across Dawson County. In high school, he excelled in athletics, was an All-State receiver and earned a football scholarship to TCU. There as a punter, defensive safety and half back, he was named All Southwest Conference. TCU won the SWC title his senior year and played in the Cotton Bowl. After college he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but chose to play in the Canadian Football League. A shoulder injury ended his football career. Ray was a dedicated TCU alumni. He was inducted into the TCU Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
While at TCU, Ray majored in business and graduated in 1956. He was a member of the ROTC Air Force program and Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He met Sandra Saunders at TCU and they married in September of 1956. After Sandra graduated, Ray received a Second Lieutenant commission in the U. S. Air Force as a navigator. He was stationed in San Antonio, Houston and Biloxi. After his 3 year tour of duty, they moved to Dallas where he worked for Traveler's Insurance. In 1963, they moved back to Fort Worth. Ray worked for the Harold Nowlin Company and later became a partner. He earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. Later the company merged with Alexander & Alexander. Ray went from the Managing Vice-President of the Fort Worth office to Southwest Regional Director and was a member of A&A's Global Retail Board. He retired in 1994.
Ray loved the Lord. He made his profession of faith when he was 9 in Bible school in Lamesa. He, Sandra and his family were active at Travis Avenue Baptist Church for over 50 years. He served as a Sunday school teacher, department director, deacon, chairman of the deacons, chairman of the finance committee, pastor search committee and leader of the Dowdy prayer group. Ray was on the Advisory Council of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and served on the Annuity Board (later Guidestone) of the Southern Baptist Convention for 10 years.
Upon retirement, he and Sandra split their time between Fort Worth and Fraser, Colorado. He loved playing golf and often commented that he could play golf all summer in Fraser without breaking a sweat. They would return to Fort Worth when TCU had their first home game. He loved to host people in their home. He was a dedicated husband, father to his daughters and Pops to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Sandra; his parents, Elsie and Owen Taylor; his brothers, Dr. Owen Taylor, Jr., and Bill Taylor; son-in-law, David Draper; sister-in-law, June Taylor; in-laws, Charles and Elaine Saunders; and brothers-in-law, Jerrell Gleaves and Skip Edblom.
He leaves behind three daughters, Meredith Tarrant and husband, Jim, Michelle Sims and husband, Stewart and Melissa Taylor; five grandchildren, Katy Burbank and husband, Michael, Amy Olsen and husband, Zach, Cole, Sara and Samantha Sims; four great-grandchildren, Elijah and Hosanna Olsen, Bryleigh and David Burbank; sisters-in-law Sally Bushnell and Bette Taylor; and many nephews, nieces and dear friends. His family would like to thank the staff at Avalon Memory Care in Allen, Texas for making this last year such a great one.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 9th at 12:00 p.m. at the Greenwood Chapel in Fort Worth and burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Avalon Memory Care, 750 N. Greenville Ave., Allen, Texas, 75002; TCU football scholarship fund; or the charity of your choice.
Growing up in Lamesa, he and his family were active at First Baptist Church. Ray played sports and enjoyed Boy Scouts. He loved telling stories of riding his horse, Clarence, across Dawson County. In high school, he excelled in athletics, was an All-State receiver and earned a football scholarship to TCU. There as a punter, defensive safety and half back, he was named All Southwest Conference. TCU won the SWC title his senior year and played in the Cotton Bowl. After college he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but chose to play in the Canadian Football League. A shoulder injury ended his football career. Ray was a dedicated TCU alumni. He was inducted into the TCU Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
While at TCU, Ray majored in business and graduated in 1956. He was a member of the ROTC Air Force program and Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He met Sandra Saunders at TCU and they married in September of 1956. After Sandra graduated, Ray received a Second Lieutenant commission in the U. S. Air Force as a navigator. He was stationed in San Antonio, Houston and Biloxi. After his 3 year tour of duty, they moved to Dallas where he worked for Traveler's Insurance. In 1963, they moved back to Fort Worth. Ray worked for the Harold Nowlin Company and later became a partner. He earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. Later the company merged with Alexander & Alexander. Ray went from the Managing Vice-President of the Fort Worth office to Southwest Regional Director and was a member of A&A's Global Retail Board. He retired in 1994.
Ray loved the Lord. He made his profession of faith when he was 9 in Bible school in Lamesa. He, Sandra and his family were active at Travis Avenue Baptist Church for over 50 years. He served as a Sunday school teacher, department director, deacon, chairman of the deacons, chairman of the finance committee, pastor search committee and leader of the Dowdy prayer group. Ray was on the Advisory Council of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and served on the Annuity Board (later Guidestone) of the Southern Baptist Convention for 10 years.
Upon retirement, he and Sandra split their time between Fort Worth and Fraser, Colorado. He loved playing golf and often commented that he could play golf all summer in Fraser without breaking a sweat. They would return to Fort Worth when TCU had their first home game. He loved to host people in their home. He was a dedicated husband, father to his daughters and Pops to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Sandra; his parents, Elsie and Owen Taylor; his brothers, Dr. Owen Taylor, Jr., and Bill Taylor; son-in-law, David Draper; sister-in-law, June Taylor; in-laws, Charles and Elaine Saunders; and brothers-in-law, Jerrell Gleaves and Skip Edblom.
He leaves behind three daughters, Meredith Tarrant and husband, Jim, Michelle Sims and husband, Stewart and Melissa Taylor; five grandchildren, Katy Burbank and husband, Michael, Amy Olsen and husband, Zach, Cole, Sara and Samantha Sims; four great-grandchildren, Elijah and Hosanna Olsen, Bryleigh and David Burbank; sisters-in-law Sally Bushnell and Bette Taylor; and many nephews, nieces and dear friends. His family would like to thank the staff at Avalon Memory Care in Allen, Texas for making this last year such a great one.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 9th at 12:00 p.m. at the Greenwood Chapel in Fort Worth and burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Avalon Memory Care, 750 N. Greenville Ave., Allen, Texas, 75002; TCU football scholarship fund; or the charity of your choice.
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