Don Francis Taylor

Donald (Don) Francis Taylor slipped away peacefully in his sleep at home, Sunday, April 14, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. Don was born Thursday, October 25, 1928 in Orr, Oklahoma to Virgil Homer Taylor and Katie Sewell Taylor.

Don graduated from Wilson High School, Wilson, Oklahoma in 1946. His passion to serve took him into the United States Air Force Recruiting Office. Don joined the United States Air Force in 1947, where he would make the military his life career by serving our country for the next 30 years. He completed many courses and classes through the United States Air Force as he advanced in his military career. Don served in Tripoli, Libya and Saigon, Vietnam where he worked as a training and education instructor. Don also had various other military assignments around the United States. During the early 1950’s, Don was a training instructor for Airmen entering basic training. He proudly assisted in the opening of Sampson Air Force Base near Seneca Lake, New York. He was dedicated to, and proud of, serving his country.

While serving his country, Don was a member of the USAF Baseball Team, where he was awarded several “Most Valuable Player” awards, including 1956 “MVP” in North Africa and 1959 “MVP” in the Fourth Army Tournament, which was a tournament of Army, Navy and Air Force teams from five local states. Don was a member of two teams in the Air Force World Wide Competition. As pitcher, he amassed over 300 wins with many no-hit games! You might say Don was very passionate about baseball.

Don retired from the United States Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant and moved his career path to real estate as a realtor and real estate broker for World Wide Realty – Better Homes and Garden, which he enjoyed for many years.

Don married his sweetheart, Nancy Jo, the one who put the spark in his eyes, on April 16, 1989 in San Antonio, Texas. The couple spent an amazing 30 years enjoying life together.

Don believed in and loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a life-long Christian and enjoyed reading and studying the Bible. Don was active with Prison Ministry for a number of years. Sharing the word of God was a passion for Don and he wanted to reach as many as he could. Don was active in his church and choir where he resided.

Politically, Don was aligned with the Republican Party and was a Right to Life advocate. As a member of Compassion International, Don supported a young Ethiopian boy named Demoze throughout the boy’s childhood and early adult life.

Don was a member of many organizations including National Rifle Association, Act for America, Oklahoma Club of Highland Springs and Gardening Club of Highland Springs. He collected donations for the American Red Cross, was a census taker for the U.S. Census Bureau and supported the USO. Doing his part in society was important to Don as an American citizen. Don enjoyed a full life with such hobbies as woodworking, fishing, hunting, watching Texas Rangers baseball and Dallas Cowboy football games, gardening, hiking, backpacking and white water river trips with Nancy Jo and Chad, traveling, earning his private piloting license, playing the bass and acoustic guitar, violin, organ, and harmonica. Don wrote many of his own songs and enjoyed sharing them with loved ones. Don and his friend, Mike, often played and sang at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. While in Vietnam, Don played acoustic and bass guitar in a group with other airmen. They entertained the troops by playing at various clubs near the base. During his high school years, Don played guitar and fiddle for local dances where he was also the square dance caller.

Gone before Don, to help prepare his heavenly welcome, are his son, Lane Brian Taylor; father, Virgil Taylor; mother, Katie Sewell Taylor; sister, Margene Brandon; brother-in-law, Virgil Brandon; and brother-in-law, Don Dill.

Survived, to cherish their memories of Don, are his wife, Nancy Jo Taylor; son, Mark Taylor and wife, Diana; step-son, Chad Taylor and wife, Vania; grandson, David Taylor and wife, Bethany; great-granddaughter, Rachel Taylor; granddaughter, Lacey Taylor Ownbey and grandson, Tim Taylor; sister, Molly Dill; nieces and nephews and many extended family and friends.

Mark Taylor will serve as urnbearer and Chad Taylor will serve as honorary urnbearer.

Don will be missed for his wonderful sense of humor. All who knew him enjoyed Don’s jokes, puns, joyful laugh and fantastic personality. Even in his last days, Don’s remarkable disposition was apparent as he bantered with loved ones.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, May 16. 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at The Highland Springs Retirement Community in the Chisholm Living Room, 8000 Frankford Road, Dallas, Texas 75252.

There will also be a Military Service with honors at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211. May 17, 2019 at 2:00 P.M..

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Don with a donation, in his memory, to one of following organizations: Samaritan’s Purse (SamaritansPurse.com), Christians United for Israel (CUFI.com), or Compassion International (Compassion.com).

Those wishing to send condolences or share memories, please sign the online guestbook at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com.