James Taylor

James E. Taylor, DDS, 72, of Decatur, Indiana, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with cardiac issues on Sunday, Dec, 3, 2017. His death was unexpected.

He was born on Friday, Feb. 23, 1945, in Clarkrange, Tennessee, the son of the late Edward L. Taylor and the late Floccie (Atkinson) Taylor. He married Gail Marlene Egly on Jan. 31, 1970, in Decatur, Indiana.

Dr. Taylor was a graduate of Dunkirk High School’s class of 1962. He continued his education at Texas Christian University (TCU), Ball State and Indiana University School of Dentistry where he received his bachelor’s and doctor of dental surgery degrees. He then opened his own practice, James E. Taylor Family Dentistry and continued until he retired in 2008 after 38 years.

Dr. Taylor was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur where he held several positions. He was a member of the Academy of General Dentistry; American Dental Association; Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association; a retired member of the Isaac Knapp District Dental Society; Decatur Jaycees; Decatur Optimist Club; Randolph County Antique Tractor Club; and the Jay County Engine Club. He enjoyed flying (had his instrument rating); gardening, farming, woodworking and design, traveling, collecting and restoring antique tractors and raising horses. His most recent advocacy was to support the A Better Life – Brianna's Hope, which was started by his sister and brother-in-law and meets locally at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur.

Survivors include his wife, Gail Taylor of Decatur; two sons, Neil Taylor of Lexington, Kentucky, and Dr. Blake (Denise Acosta) Taylor of Decatur; a daughter, Allison (Marshall) Davis of Avon, Indiana; three sisters, Ann (Rick) Moulthrop of Irvine, California, June (Paul) Campbell of Eaton, Indiana, and Rose (Pastor Randy) Davis of Redkey, Indiana; a brother, Joel (Pastor Sharon) Taylor of Fairview, Indiana; an aunt, Ilean Helton of Crossville, Tennessee; six grandchildren, Nathan Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Quentin Taylor, Alton Taylor, Meyer Davis and Makalyn Davis; and one step-granddaughter, Ashley Pulver.

He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Amy Taylor.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Decatur with Pastor Randy Davis, Pastor Sharon Taylor and Pastor Amy Covington officiating. Interment will follow in the Decatur Cemetery.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, Jim's family would ask that preferred memorials be given to A Better Life – Brianna's Hope; First United Methodist Church; or the Marfan Foundation.