Joseph Smith Taylor
Joseph Smith Taylor, 86, of Mexico. Passed away at Pin Oakes Living Center on Friday, October 25, 2024.
Joe was born on Oct. 19, 1938 in Worcester, MA, the only son of Joseph Cooper Taylor and Lillian Smith Taylor. As a boy he was known for his ability to fix anything from a toaster to a car. If it was broken, he could fix it.
Joe entered the Air Force in 1956 as an airplane mechanic. After basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas was stationed at two other Air Force Bases in Texas, Goose Bay Labador in Canada, then Pease AFB in New Hampshire. Once the US entered the Vietnam Conflict, he was sent to Japan to work on the aircraft used in the Vietnam War. Finally, he was stationed at Hickem AFB in Honolulu.
It was at Hickem AFB he met the love of his life, Sharon. Sharon and her roommate had just arrived for a month’s vacation. They were both nurses at the University Hospital in Columbia. Sharon was also an Army brat, so she knew about moving every few years. After several months of letters, a couple of phone calls and another trip to Hawaii by Sharon and her roommate, they were engaged. Joe and Sharon were married on October 22, 1966 at Ft. Leonard Wood where Sharon’s dad was stationed.
Joe and Sharon decided Joe would transfer from active duty to the reserves. The change resulted in a move to the Miami, FL area to be near Joe’s parents. He then worked at Homestead Air Reserve Base on the same planes he had worked on in Japan and Hawaii. Once Joe’s parents decided to move to Houston to be near on of their daughters, Joe and Sharon moved to Waynesville, MO to be near Sharon’s parents.
While in Waynesville, Sharon worked at Ft. Leonard Wood Army Hospital and Joe worked at a local car dealership. Due to low wages, lack of health care and educational opportunities for Sharon they moved to Columbia. Joe worked at University Chrysler for 25 years, then moved into sales with various companies until he retired. He never took credit for the hours he supported Sharon so she could complete her degrees.
Once Sharon retired, they moved to the Melbourne, FL area as Joe said he could not stand another Missouri winter. Once there Sharon’s parents moved across the street. Joe worked parttime at Home Depot while Sharon taught nursing full time. Sharon’s dad became ill so Joe and Sharon quit their jobs to care for him. Sharon eventually went back to teaching after her dad passed. After Sharon’ Mother passed Joe and Sharon decided to move back to Missouri as their children and grandchildren. were not visiting as often as they wished. Joe still hated the Missouri winters so they were able to spend four of the past nine winters in FL in their RV.
Joe is survived by his wife, Sharon; his daughter, Kim (Wayne) Yoder of Centralia; sons Jay (Tyla) Taylor of Columbia, Michael (Jennifer) Taylor of Fulton and Scott (Kasondra) Taylor of Tampa, FL; grandchildren, Ariel (Jeff) Cody, Ashley (Jesse), Austin (Cameran), Nick and Zach; great-grandson, Hunter; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Jim Conrad of Columbia; sister-in-law, Ann Ferrante of Melbourne, FL; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Janice Myers of Des Moines, IA and sister-in-law, Colleen Davis of Booneville, IA.
Joe loved God and was faithful in reading the Bible and praying. Joe loved his family and was so proud of their achievements.
Joe will be missed by his church family at Kentucky Road Christian Church in Mexico as well as friends George and Cheryl Lindahl of North Branch, MN and Matt and Kim Jones of Mexico and the entire Maxwell family of Ohio. His dog Mia and Sharon’s dog, Abby, will especially miss him.
A memorial service will be held at Kentucky Road Christian Church on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. His very special friend, Pastor Tony Maxwell will conduct the service.
Arnold Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
