J.D. "Joe" Taylor

J.D. TAYLOR, AKA JOE DEXTER TAYLOR, AKA JAY TAYLOR

Born, J.D. Taylor on December 4, 1935 to Jaybee Taylor and Esther Lee Lovejoy in Houston, TX., he received his formal education through the Houston School System and graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School.

He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age. He departed his life on May 24, 2014.

While on life’s journey, Joe was a true soldier on and off the battlefield. He entered the U.S. Air Force June 22, 1955 and served until July 1, 1975. He served two tours in Vietnam and was stationed throughout the world, including: Texas, California, Wyoming, New Mexico, Greenland, Japan, and the Republic of Vietnam.

While off the battlefield, his greatest accomplishment was Founder and President of the National Brotherhood Association (Frank Waller, Vice President; Vincent Hutchinson, Secretary; J. Jefferson, Treasurer). This organization was a civil rights organization formed within the military, comprised of soldiers from around the country and overseas who wanted to be a part of the changes which were happening around the world during the civil rights movement.

After his military retirement, he continued to serve his country while employed with the I.R.S. and other government entities until his retirement again in 1995.

While working at the I.R.S., he met and married his surviving spouse, Arlene. He brought her sons, Jeremy and Jonathan Smith into his life to call him “Dad” and into Lance’s life to call him “Sir”. Together, they shared 24 years of love.

Joe was truly blessed to be survived by his children: Joe Taylor, Jr., Alex (Patricia) Taylor, Patricia (Curtis) Billingsley, Lance, Tina Hargett, Angela (Brian) Rice, Jeremy Smith, and Jonathan Smith and also adopted son, Khem (Pimjai) Saythongkhem. His grandchildren: Briana Taylor; Ashley (Terrance) Durst; Delonte, Elijah, Nina Hargett; Jasmine, MiLee, Keanu Ramirez; Breon, Brandon, Brilen Rice; Aiyanna and Doron Smith. His great-grandchild: Trinity Durst. Also cherishing his memory are his sisters, Helen Cyrus, Pearl Thompson and Joyce Lodrig; his sister in law, Olivia Ballard and family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.