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Obituaries
James E. Taylor
James (Jim) E. Taylor, 88, of Newport News, VA, passed away peacefully of natural causes on July 16, 2024. Jim was born on March 15, 1936, in Wheeling, WV, to James Leland and Clara Virginia Taylor. He graduated from Triadelphia High School in 1955 and West Virginia University in 1959 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering.
After graduating from West Virginia University, Jim was commissioned into the United States Army. He served 15 years on active duty in the Army, stationed at Fort Hood, TX; Fort Eustis, VA; Paris, France; Iskenderun, Turkey, and served two tours in Vietnam. Jim served an additional 15 years in the Army Reserves, retiring as a Colonel from the US Army Transportation Corps. He also worked 26 years for the Army in Civil Service at Fort Eustis, VA; Fort Buchanan, PR; Fort Monroe, VA; US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany; and Bayonne, NJ. After retiring from Civil Service in July of 2000, Jim and his wife, Virginia, spent most of their time traveling and volunteering.
Jim enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He loved traveling the world with Virginia, spending time with family, watching his grandkids grow up, attending the symphony, volunteering and participating in Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church activities, and having a cold beer or two with friends.
Survivors include his daughter Lora Ellen (Mike), son Robert, stepson Jerry (Amy), grandchildren Cory (Brianna), Ryan, David, Madison, Cody (Amber), and Jack, along with great-grandchildren Grayson, Ryder, and Brenlee, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Leland and Clara Virginia Taylor; his ex-wife, Marilyn Sue Taylor; his wife, Virginia Ann Taylor; and his sisters, Virginia Lee Noland and Maryetta Norman.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church in Newport News. A reception will immediately follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org or the Oglebay Park Future Tree Program at https://www.oglebayfoundation.org/giving/future-trees.
8 Comments
Jim was a good neighbor for many years. We enjoyed having a beer or two weekly. He and Virginia are missed in our community.
Jim and his wife, Virginia were very involved at Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church, where I got to know them. He was in the Bell Choir and we rang together for several years. I am honored to have known him and his sweet Virginia. Peace to all of his family and close friends.
Many fond memories of Jim Taylor – what a blessing it was to have know him. Our Sister Cities of Newport News family will miss him dearly.
We are sorry for your family’s loss. James and Virginia Taylor established a scholarship for nursing and dental hygiene students at Virginia Peninsula Community College. Their generosity helped many students on the path to success.
https://www.vpcc.edu/foundation/scholarship/james-virginia-taylor-nursing-dental-hygiene-scholarship.html
Rest well Jim…we connected through SCNN, travels to Germany, and WVU…Saw him last at the opera in Norfolk. Hope you meet up with some “eers for a cold one. Your support of WVU and higher education was outstanding. Your memorials will be a blessing to many a student.
I remember all the trips you and Virginia took. And, w e enjoyed our SCNN trip to Greifswald with you. What sticks in my head, is that Virginia often went on mission trips and became enamored with the children she encountered; and you often said you were worried that Virginia might bring home a child after one of her many mission trips.
I remember all the trips you and Virginia took. And, we enjoyed our SCNN trip to Greifswald with you both. What sticks in my head, is that Virginia went on many mission trips and became so enamored with the children she might bring home one.
I was so touched by Mr. Taylor’s generosity and heart for the Lord. I was honored to receive a scholarship through CNU from him and his wife in 2021. We connected over a shared love for being the hands and feet of Jesus around the world. I was hopeful to connect with him in-person to share that God had called me to be a full-time missionary in Guatemala but it seems I was too late. I’m grateful we got to speak on the phone a few times. Nevertheless, I know for sure where he is, and that we will meet again one day. Thank you Mr. Taylor for doing so much good for the local and global community in the Name of Jesus. Surely He welcomed you home, saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”