John A. Taylor

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Visitation Schedule
Roller-Crouch Funeral Home
510 E. College Ave.
Batesville, AR  72501
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
First United Methodist Church
615 E. Main Street
Batesville, AR  72501
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
11:00 am
Cemetery
Oaklawn Cemetery
Sidney & Myers Street
Batesville, AR  72051
Memorial Contributions
First United Methodist Church
615 E. Main
Batesville, AR  72501
I served in the Navy.
John A. TaylorI am a Veteran.

of BAtesville, AR

September 13, 1935 - June 7, 2018

John A. Taylor departed this life on June 7, 2018. Born on September 13, 1935 in Johnson City, Tennessee to Elizabeth and John Paul Taylor, he had one sister, Elizabeth Collingsworth of Kingsport, Tennessee. He is survived by three children: Sherry (Bruce) Hankins of Batesville, Arkansas; John (Stephanie) Taylor of San Diego, California, and Diane (Scott) Rix of Memphis, Tennessee. Grandchildren: Evan Paul Taylor of San Diego, California and Sheena Robinson of North Carolina and two great-grandchildren. Sisters-in-law Ruth (Bud) Fox, Phyllis Ramey, Deborah Ramey, and brother-in-law Tom (Lucy) Ramey, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graduate of Holston Valley High School in Blountville, Tennessee, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1961 aboard the USS Lake Champlain and the USS Boxer. He began working at Tennessee Eastman Company in Kingsport, Tennessee in 1961 and in 1975 he transferred to Arkansas Eastman Company as a shop inspector. He served as a maintenance foreman prior to his selection in 1984 as an engineering technologist and was a contracting inspector upon his retirement on November 19, 1999.

In 1958, he married Martha Lynn Ramey and they were married for 58 years until her death on September 16, 2016. They enjoyed fishing, dancing, and going to auctions together. Many people will remember his garden at the corner of Pioneer and Douglas and driving by seeing him resting in his chair in the shade.

John was the ultimate handyman. He was a master electrician and did his fair share of carpentry work and plumbing. He worked on the construction of the first Habitat for Humanity House, worked on building the Independence County Humane Shelter, and worked for several years in updating the Four Corners Apartments. But for John, the majority of his time after retirement was given to the maintenance and upkeep of the First United Methodist Church in Batesville until he could no longer climb ladders. When several of the old stained glass windows needed repairing, he removed them, searched all over for comparable colors and textures of glass, and then spent countless hours reworking them; he also helped install the elevator in the church. For several years he worked with the United Methodist Men building handicapped ramps. He was a member of the Chaney-Huddleston Sunday School Class and served others at the Saturday morning breakfast.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 13, at First United Methodist Church in Batesville with Rev. Justin Ledbetter officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers: John Ellis, Tim McKinney, Clark Nail, Steve Richman, David Smith, and Mike Wilson. Honorary pallbearers: Chaney-Huddleston Sunday School Class and the Saturday morning breakfast crew.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 615 E. Main Street, Batesville, AR 72501.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the nurses and staff of Wood-Lawn Nursing Home and Arkansas Hospice for the care of their father. A special thanks is also extended to Rebecca Richman and many other angels for their attention to JT.

His row of sunflowers were enjoyed by many and will be missed.


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4 Condolence(s)
Ed Holland
Anderson, SC
Liked
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

I always appreciated how talented John was and all the capabilities he shared while we worked at Eastman.

Richard & Latisa Beason
Malvern, AR
Liked
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Please let us know if we can help in any way.

Brant Handford
batesville, AR
Liked
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Our warmest and most heartfelt condolences to you all. I was fortunate enough to know John and know what a good man he was. You all are in our thoughts during this tough time.

Brant and Kathy Handford

Mark shreve
Batesville, AR
Liked
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Sherry. You and your family are in my thoughts my friend. Preston called me today to tell me.