It is with profound sadness that we announce the departure of Mr. Oral "Jay" Taylor, affectionately known as Jay, who left us on January 14, 2026. Born on February 18, 1945, Jay was a man whose warmth, humor, and love of learning shaped not only his own life but also those around him.  

Jay is survived by his loving wife, Jane Taylor, their sons Berk and Robin Taylor, and their granddaughter Martha Taylor. He is also survived by his sisters Annetta Hammel of Germany, and Joyce Criss of Tacoma. He was predeceased by his parents, Oral Taylor and Velma Taylor-Watts, his sister Marge Henderson, and brother Wally Taylor.  His legacy as everyone's favorite uncle, a loving husband, and father, not to mention his infectious laughter, will live on in their hearts.

Jay was born in Chicago, IL, and lived in Ogdensburg, WI on a farm, Clarksville, TN, and Atlanta, GA as a youth.  Jay attended Austin Peay State College (now University) and studied Business Education.  From his high school days Jay and his family were early pioneers in the racing scene.  Jay worked at The Atlanta Speed Shop and always had his own hot rods, and later after college, at Taylor Speed Sport in Bessemer, AL.  They were involved with a lot of the nationally known racers in both NASCAR and NHRA as they provided parts and sometimes a facility for these racers to work on their cars.  Jay was also active with his own cars and passed on his connections and love of racing to his sons, who are avid viewers of all types of motor racing.  Jay spent the latter part of his career in the building supply business, as both an inside sales and outside sales professional, a purchasing agent and other duties.  He spent some time building homes, doing plumbing, and other highly skilled work.  After retiring, he filled time sometimes driving a share ride vehicle, as well as participating as a government census worker.  His career took him from Clarksville, TN, to Redmond, WA, back to TN, Atlanta, Vancouver, WA, then really crisscrossed the nation several times to WA, CA, TX always trying to be close his family.

A passionate sportsman from a young age, Jay was chosen for various athletic scholarships, notably in Track and Field, football, and basketball. His love for sports never waned, transitioning into a fondness for golf and fishing in his later years. Jay also held his hometown teams close to his heart, cheering on the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, and Seattle Supersonics.

Off the field, Jay was a well-known cinephile and TV enthusiast. The wit and humor of shows like Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Sopranos were particular favorites, much like the sharp dialogue in movies such as Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. His later years were filled with an unquenchable thirst for funny YouTube videos.

As an avid reader, Jay's bookshelf was always expanding. His thirst for knowledge wasn't confined to books, as his love for visiting new places led him to Hawaii, Mexico, France, Scotland, England, Germany, and more. He delighted in learning about each unique culture, accumulating stories and experiences along the way.

Jay's life was not without its share of remarkable milestones. He was chosen to march in President Kennedy's inauguration as a first chair French horn player, and also played the piano for fun. He made the respectable decision to decline athletic scholarships, to pursue other interests and a college of his choosing. His counsel to others was to appreciate, learn about, and remain curious about others - a lesson he lived by every day.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and charity: water. Funds are being raised at the following URL: https://everloved.com/life-of…

Jay's life was one that admired diversity, appreciated humor, and valued love above all. His memory will continue to inspire and guide us, reminding us to remain curious, appreciate each other, and, most importantly, to always find a reason to laugh.

Jay was deeply loved and his absence will be felt for all the years his descendants remain.

Jay is undergoing terramation to return his earthly remains to the ecosystem in a natural way and his life will be celebrated in the spring with announcements to come as details are finalized.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/oral-taylor/obituary/

Copy