Arden William Taylor Jr.

He was born in Brownwood, Texas, on March 8, 1931, to Mary Cleo Nevans and Arden William Taylor, Sr.. He was close to his parents, his sister, Nena, and maternal grandparents (Mamie and E.F. Nevans).

At a young age, Arden accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and it was the most significant relationship of his life.

Arden attended Brownwood (Texas) School District through the eleventh grade,

participating in football, baseball and Boy Scouts. He became an Eagle Scout.

The Taylor family moved to Arizona where they owned and operated a

large, productive cotton farm. Arden graduated from Glendale (Arizona)

High School in 1948. He attended Arizona State University, participated

in Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and earned a listing in the Outstanding

Students of America. Upon college graduation in 1952, Arden played semi-professional baseball in Montana and enjoyed traveling the Great Northwest. He formed and treasured lifelong friendships from this early period.

At the end of that summer, he entered the United States Air Force as a

Second Lieutenant during the Korean Crisis. He was honorably discharged in

1954 with the rank of First Lieutenant.

Arden returned to the Taylor cotton business, where he became President of the Maricopa County Cotton Farmers’ Association. He and his father operated

two productive cotton acreages: Stanfield and Wilcox (Arizona). In 1957, Arden married the love of his life, Wendy Davis of Chandler, Arizona.

In 1959, the Taylor businesses were expanded with the acquisition of a 1300 acre livestock ranch on the Colorado River in the Hill Country near Brownwood, Texas. Arden and Wendy moved to Texas to develop this ranch and establish it as their family home. In Brownwood, Arden and Wendy were blessed with the births of two daughters, Alisa and Angela, and were leaders in Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. Arden and Wendy were extremely active in their church and made many dear friends. Arden enjoyed entertaining family and friends at the ranch who came to see the livestock, ride horses, hunt, fish in their 18 tanks, and feast on beloved Texas fare, many times picnicking on the banks of the Colorado River.

In 1964, Arden began a new chapter of his life with The Texas Medical Center in Houston. He entered the University of Houston School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1967. He was a Staff Pharmacist at Hermann Hospital through 1971, when he was tapped for hospital administration. Through the 1970’s and 80’s he was Administrator of several hospitals in the Texas Medical Center including Center Pavilion, Doctor’s Center and Medical Place. In 1986, Arden became affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center as Director of Building Services. He brought kindness, integrity and care to every role, and he valued the relationships he had with colleagues and friends.

Arden never fully retired. He remained very active in the 2000’s and until his death, with several business interests. Arden owned the TankTote Company of Houston. He maintained his pharmacy license and supervised pharmacies in the Greater Houston area. He also maintained his commercial real estate license and consulting business, providing expertise to several companies in the Texas Medical Center. Arden and his dear friend and partner, Vic Maignaud, owned and operated the M/T Pool Services Company, serving numerous clients in the Gulf Coast Area.

Arden was active with volunteerism and enjoyed serving the community. He served as Board President for Interfaith Caring Ministries, Finance Committee Member with United Way, and Committee Member with the Astrodome Rotary Club.

He enjoyed numerous interests and hobbies, many that allowed him to spend quality time with family and friends. He loved to sail, golf, fish, hunt and travel with those he loved. He also excelled at several artistic hobbies, including silver smithing and stained-glass design. He owned a Mustang convertible since the early 1960’s, and he enjoyed showing the restored car at antique car shows in the last several years.

Arden’s family was his earthly world. He showered them with love and attention. He was there for every special occasion in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives, and he modeled his faith every moment. Arden laughed easily, hugged often, expressed gratitude freely, and listened far more than he spoke. His family and friends will long remember his patience, kindness, strength, quick wit, easy nature and compassion.

Throughout his life, though, his most important relationship remained with Jesus Christ. He lived to honor God, and he was the spiritual leader of his home and his family. Church leadership was his priority, and he served in every church he attended. He was a member of Clear Lake Baptist Church since 1971 and served in numerous leadership positions, including: Church Deacon; Church Sunday School Director; Church Council Chairperson; Church Personnel Committee; Church Benevolence Committee; Department Sunday School Director; and Class Sunday School Teacher. The deep friendships formed during these years were among the most cherished in Arden’s life.

Predecessors:

Arden was preceded in death by his father, Arden William Taylor, Sr.;

Mother, Mary Cleo Nevans Taylor; brother-in-law, Robert Thornton; in laws Reverend Paul W. Davis and Dr. Celestia Brannen Davis.

Survivors:

Arden is survived by his wife (Dr. Wendy Davis Taylor); daughter

(Alisa Taylor Dickson and husband Glen); daughter (Angie Taylor Morgan and

Husband Dr. Michael Morgan); grand-son ( J.D. Kyle); grand-daughter

(Brookelyn Dickson); grand-daughter (Taylor Dickson Colvin and husband

Joel); grand-daughter (Chandler Dickson Arthur and husband Brian);

great-grand-daughter (Cadence Elizabeth Arthur); sister (Nena Taylor

Thornton); nephew (Dr. Michael Thornton and wife Jen); nephew

(Greg Thornton and wife Grace); nephew (David Thornton and wife

Tammy); niece (MaryLynn Thornton Layman); and numerous beloved family members.