John “Jack” Herbert Taylor, 87, of Kingwood, son of the late Ralph and Vera McClure Taylor, passed away on April 6, 2022, at Stonerise Kingwood. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Jack was a Masontown High School graduate and valedictorian of the Class of 1952. He retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Morgantown. He began his employment there as a correctional officer in 1968 and retired as factory manager in 1989. During his employment for the Bureau, he completed many college courses. After his retirement, he drove bus for Preston County Schools for 10 years and on his regular run made it a point the learn each of the students’ names and greeted them by name when they got on and off the bus. His last employment was jail administrator for Sheriff Ron Crites, whom he referred to as “the best boss he ever had.” He worked at the jail until it closed.
One of Jack’s proudest accomplishments was serving his country in the United States Marine Corps. Places of employment in his earlier years included D.C. Transit, Fruehauf in Ohio and Sterling Faucet in Reedsville. Jack enjoyed hunting, but his favorite pastime was playing golf. He was a member of the Preston Country Club for many years. He loved piano music and reminisced about his mother’s playing and him singing hymns with her. He very much enjoyed all the music over the years at Kingwood Wesley United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Patty (nee DeBerry); his daughter, Vicky (Mark) Graham, of Kingwood; and his son, John Taylor (Sherry), of Jacksonville, N.C.; stepdaughters, Marcia (Greg) Bolyard, of Morgantown, Renee Crogan/Weese and Phill, of Washington, Pa.; two stepsons, Alan Jones, of Morgantown, and Brian Jones, of Kingwood; grandchildren, Lindsey Graham (Scott) Guinn, Whitney Graham (Josh) Dillsworth, John Taylor III, Amanda Taylor, Christopher Bolyard, James Crogan (Emily), Tera Crogan, Aubrey Crogan, Logan Jones and Laken Jones; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Lloyd Wilhelm; his brothers, Walter, Fred and Rex Taylor and Hubert Wilhelm; and his sisters, Christine Martino and Madlyn Menear.
Family and friends may call at Browning Funeral Home in Kingwood, from noon-2 p.m., the funeral hour, on Saturday, April 9, with Pastor Sonny McNear officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations of remembrance may be made to the Bereavement Dinners Fund, Wesley United Methodist Church, 107 High St., Kingwood, WV 26537.
Family would appreciate that masks be worn during visitation and the funeral service.
Condolences:
www.browningfuneralhomewv.com
