Mr. Donald Ernest Taylor, Sr., 87, a resident of Columbia, died Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Born on November 9, 1934, he was the son of the late Ernest T. Taylor and the late Chrisitine Godwin Taylor.
He was a graduate of Columbia Central High School Class of 1953 and went on and attended MTSU. Mr. Taylor served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He married Patricia White Taylor on November 20, 1965 who preceded him in death on September 16, 2017.
Mr. Taylor was employed by Columbia Power and Water Systems for over 30 years and retired as warehouse manager. He was a member of the American Legion Post 19, Order of Eastern Star Chapter 287, Masonic Lodge #31 for more than 50 years, a Columbia York Rite Bodies, Al Menah Shriners, Lafayette Chapter #4 Royal Arch Masons of Tennessee, and Columbia Council #139 Cryptic Masons.
Mr. Taylor also enjoyed gardening, fishing, and woodworking, and at one time owning Taylor Handmade Woodcrafting. Mr. Taylor was a member of Knob Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include his daughter, Ginger Taylor Dickens of Columbia; son, Donald E. “Dee” Taylor, Jr. of Columbia; sister Wilma Taylor Sowell of Spring Hill; grandchildren, Grace Earnest (Matt) Dunn; great-grandchildren, Carter Dunn, Liza Dunn, Beau Dunn, Anna Dunn, and Will Dunn; niece, Pam Sowell (James) Gary; nephew, Joe Tom (Regina) Sowell; great-nephews, Joe Spencer Gary and Ross (Elizabeth) Sowell; and great-niece, Chloe Sowell; sisters-in-law, Linda (Don) Riddle and Mary Webb; nieces and nephews on his wife Patricia’s side, including Vickie (Brian) Smith, Donna Hall, Donnie (Carolyn) Riddle, Tammy Anderson, and Tim Webb.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Stan Dickens; brother-in-law, Joe Sowell; niece, Christy Pence, and great-nephew, Casey Pence.
Funeral services for Mr. Taylor will be conducted Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Tony Brown officiating. A graveside Masonic service will follow in Knob Creek Cemetery with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
Pallbearers will be Matt Dunn, James Gary, Joe Spencer Gary, Donnie Riddle, Jr., Bill Ammons, Randy Thurman, Bobby Gaskill, David Taylor, and Brian Smith.
Honorary pallbearers will be Columbia Power and Water Systems present and retired employees, Don Riddle and Ross Sowell.
The family suggests memorials be made to Al Menah Shrine Temple 1354 Brick Church Pike Nashville, TN. 37207 or Knob Creek Cemetery c/o Tim Fitzgerald 1209 Hunters Point Lane Spring Hill, Tennessee 37174.
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