Mark Edward Taylor

Mark Edward Taylor, 60, of Montgomery, died at home on November 28, 2023, after a long battle with melanoma.

Mark was born an avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan in Birmingham. He leaves behind his son,

Andrew Taylor of Montgomery, mom Doris Hydrick Dame (Ken) of Wetumpka, dad John Taylor (Susan) of Hoover, and brother Michael Taylor of Helena.

Mark is also survived by his former wife, Brenda Taylor, dedicated mom of Andrew (Mark referred to her as a saint), as well as former wife and close friend Lisa Martin.

John taught Mark lessons about life, football, basketball, golf, fishing and God. Doris provided constant love and support to Mark, especially when he faced a number of challenges throughout his life. There are not enough words to express the immense love Doris had for Mark.

Mark loved Alabama football, Alabama Basketball, the Boston Celtics (esp. 00, 32 and 33), dogs (especially boxers), golf, good food, history and music.

His parents took him to Alabama games from a young age and he developed an encyclopedic knowledge of the team and game-by-game details. He regularly recounted facts about games played decades prior. He traveled to regular-season and bowl games with various loved ones in

several SEC states as well as Hawaii, South Bend, State College (for “the” Bobby Humphrey

game), the Meadowlands, and Philadelphia.

Mark worked in a number of restaurants in Birmingham and Montgomery and was an amateur chef whose culinary skills rivaled that of professional chefs. He loved to cook for his family, friends and often made enough to share with neighbors.

While recovering from a kidney donation to his son in the 1990s, Mark began calling into the Finebaum show as “Herb from Huffman.” After returning to Montgomery, he became “Bogie” on the Max Roundtable. Host Doug Amos called him the show’s best caller and wrote that “his takes were creatively sarcastic and that he got under the skin of fellow listeners and a host or two…and that was exactly his intent.” His very specific system for predicting scores of big and obscure games allowed him to win the show’s weekly’s contests, already securing two wins this season.

Mark had a ticket to last week’s Iron Bowl but was too ill to attend. He watched every minute while animatedly yelling about the coaches’ play calling, the horrible officiating, and his hate for Auburn. At the end of the game, he was already planning his call to Doug on Monday. He predicted what “those Subs” would say and had all of his retorts prepared.

Unfortunately, Mark’s melanoma made that final call impossible. Even on his worst days, he would ask Alexa to “play Max Roundtable and he talked to all of you as if he were calling in live.

Mark enthusiastically competed in his brother’s fantasy football leagues using “TidesofWar,” “Smoke Ring” and other monikers. He agonized over his team weekly and as a result, regularly made the playoffs. However, he believed he was cheated last year when the Bills game was tragically cut short. Mark loved Michael, but didn’t hold back on his criticism of his league Commissioner role.

In the last year, Mark didn’t want cancer to define him. He briefly worked at the Dalraida Publix and appreciated the care he was shown by everyone there when he couldn’t continue working.

With Lisa, he was able to enjoy the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, several concerts in KY, PA and GA, visits to Churchill Downs, the KY home of Clark -, another Max RT caller, Valley Forge and the Liberty Bell, and had a real Philly Cheesesteak. His last visit to Bryant Denny Stadium was to see Alabama beat that much-hated orange team from Knoxville on the third Saturday in October.

Mark’s family would like to thank Dr. Scott McDaniel, Dr. Kristy Broman, Dr. Alex Whitley and everyone who played a role in his care at the Montgomery Cancer Center, Carmichael Imaging, University of Alabama-Birmingham, and Central Alabama Radiation Oncology.

If you would like to make a donation in Mark’s memory, please consider the Kidney Foundation or a local animal charity that you love.

Finally, please know that it’s not “just skin cancer.” Regardless of age, if you and your family are not getting regular skin checks with a dermatologist, please make appointments in honor of Mark/Bogie. It could save your life.

Roll Tide, Mark. You will be forever loved and missed.

A family and friends visitation will be held at Leak Memory on Thursday Dec 7 from 1 to 2 pm with a Celebration of Life Memorial Service immediately following at 2 pm