James Thurman Taylor

Celebrating the Life of Major (Ret.) James T. Taylor Sunrise: March 31, 1937 ~~~~ Sunset: August 3, 2022 ~ Interment ~ Pleasant Valley Memorial Park, Annandale, Virginia Vietnam veteran James Thurman Taylor completed his final tour of duty on August 3, 2022, at the age of 85. James (Jim) was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, an uncle and an inspiration to his family and all who knew him. Jim was born March 31, 1937, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Ethel Cora Lee Robinson. The family soon moved to Ohio where Jim grew up with his younger siblings Shirley, Ruby, Samuel, Walter, Geraldine, and Willie. He attended Lockland Wayne High School, graduating in 1955. He then attended Central State University, in Wilberforce, Ohio. Jim majored in physics, minored in mathematics and enrolled in ROTC. Upon graduation, in 1959, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the infantry in the United States Army. He completed USA Infantry School at Fort Benning before moving on to an assignment at Fort Jackson where he met and married Joan Lawson in 1960. This marriage was blessed with two sons, James and Kenneth, as well as a daughter, Lynette, who predeceased him. In 1962, Jim served his first tour in Vietnam as an advisor. His military education included courses at the U.S. Army Infantry School, the U.S. Army Signal Corps and the Army Defense Language Institute (Mandarin Chinese). His skills and experience allowed him to subsequently serve in many capacities for the Army and later in his military career, the Navy. When stationed on Okinawa, he served in the First Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a Green Beret officer. He then moved on to the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles) and completed his second tour in Vietnam. His next assignment, in 1974, was at the Pentagon as the U.S. Army Communications Liaison Officer in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. In 1979, Jim earned his Master’s Degree in Government at Georgetown University. After retiring from active duty, he worked as an engineer for several Beltway defense contractors before joining his younger brother Sam’s company as Vice President. Still up for a challenge, Jim went on to work for Voice of America where he worked until illness forced him to retire in 2008. Throughout his life, Jim exemplified the creed of the Green Beret: “I pledge to uphold the honor and integrity of their legacy, in all that I am - in all that I do. I am a warrior.” Jim was a warrior who rose to the challenge wherever and whenever it was required. He would strive to excel in everything he did. He loved God, his country, and his family. Married for 61 years, Jim and Joan had a bond that was unbreakable. Jim loved being with family during holidays and encouraging the professional, academic, and athletic pursuits of his children, siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. On occasion, Jim was not above showing off his considerable language skills. Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife Joan, sons Jim (and wife Elise Lemire and son Eli Taylor-Lemire) and Ken (and wife Wanda and sons Jacob Taylor and Caleb Taylor); siblings Shirley, Ruby, and Walter, in-laws, nieces and nephews, close family relatives, devoted caregivers, and great friends. A private family visitation will be held on Saturday, August 13, from 10:00 - 10:30 am at the Demaine Fairfax Funeral Home Chapel, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia. A funeral service will follow at 10:30 am. Interment will occur immediately after with Military Honors at Pleasant Valley Memorial Park, 8420 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia. Following the interment, there will be a reception at Demaine Funeral Home which is optional to visit with the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in James T. Taylor’s memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans organization at https://secure.dav.org/donate.