Jess W. Taylor, Jr.

Jess W. Taylor, Jr., 86, of Bastrop, Texas and former long time resident of Meridian, Texas passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, July 26, 2019 in a Bastrop care facility.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P. M., Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Lawson Funeral Home Chapel in Meridian with Rev. Richard Creech officiating.  Interment will be in the Meridian Cemetery.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at 2:00.  Pallbearers will be Brian Taylor, Keith Taylor, Clint Taylor, Zachary Taylor, Terri Germany, and Jason Smith.

Jess was born October 7, 1932 in Irving, Texas to Jess W. Taylor, Sr. and Hetty Cockerham Taylor.  He grew up and attended schools in Midlothian and graduated from Midlothian High School.  After graduation he enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1952.  In 1954 he met a young lady, Shirley June Hayes, and on August 5, 1954 they were married in Durant, Oklahoma.  Jess was discharged from the Navy in 1956 and he returned to civilian life.  Southwestern Bell Telephone was needing linemen for their company and Jess began his long career with Southwestern Bell, and later retired in November of 1986 from the company that became known as A T & T, as an AC Specialist.  Jess worked for SWB/AT&T for 28 years and 9 months.     During that time, Shirley and Jess made Burleson, Texas their home, but in 1981 decided to move to Meridian, Texas to begin a new adventure of living in the country on a farm.  Jess loved his horses, sheep, cattle, and doves and so enjoyed taking care of them.    He also loved to be with people and was always willing to volunteer, as was Shirley, for anything that needed to be done.  Jess served a short term as interim Bosque County Sheriff; he served as the Mayor of Meridian from May of 2003 until April of 2005; also he served on various community committees acting in many different capacities.    Shirley and Jess were faithful members of the Meridian First United Methodist Church until their health prevented many of their activities.

Survivors include daughter, Shelly Crawson, of Bastrop; son, Greg Taylor and wife, Cathy, of Kosse; brother, Bob Taylor and wife, Peggy, of Dennis; grandchildren, Brian Taylor, Deanna Smith, Chasity Norman, Melanie Germany, Keith Taylor, Clint Taylor, Jennifer Hannah, Lacey Navin, Marissa Brock, and Zachary Taylor; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and many, many friends.

Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by his father, Jess W. Taylor, Sr.; his mother, Hetty Cockerham Taylor; his wife, Shirley Hayes Taylor; and a son, Bruce Alan Taylor.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Jess Taylor to the Dementia Society of America by mail to P. O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at https://www.dementiasociety.org

Words of comfort and peace may be sent to Mr. Taylor's family at lawsonfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, 803 N Main Street, Meridian, Texas   254-435-2792