ROSINE, Ky. — James “J.T.” Taylor, 78, of Rosine, crossed over into Heaven on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at his home. He was born on June 21, 1945, in Rosine, to the late Leo Taylor and Beryl Collard Decker.
J.T. was a member of Calvary Independent Baptist Church and he retired from CSX and L&N Railroad where he worked as a road master. He was a United States Army Veteran serving in the Vietnam War, a member of the VFW Post #5766, Amvets Post 117 and the PFC Wesley C. Phelps Ohio County Honor Guard.
As he gained his heavenly reward, he was greeted by his parents; one son, James Truman “Rusty” Taylor Jr.; one grandson, James Truman “Bubba” Taylor III; one brother, Leo Taylor; five sisters, Phyllis Taylor Wade, Norita Taylor, Debora Carol Taylor, Martha Ann Taylor, and Jeraldine Taylor.
He leaves behind to cherish many precious memories, his wife of 56 years, Melinda Sanders Taylor, of Rosine, and four children, Jason (Heather) Taylor, of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, Jeremy (Erica) Taylor, of Rosine, Tracy (Tim) Drake, of Belton, Kentucky, and Timmie (Charles) Lacefield, of Rosine. J.T. was blessed with 11 grandchildren, Kori (Wesley) Grubbs, Kelsey Moseley, Krissy Taylor, John Taylor, Jeremy Taylor, Jason (Ashton) Taylor, Jr., Noah (Alexis) Taylor, Caleb (Brooklyn) Lacefield, Timothy (Tori) Lacefield, Andrew Lacefield and Emily Lacefield; seven great-grandchildren, Luna, Elara, Layne, Beckett, Ida Mae, James IV, and Lincoln Isaiah; and one half-sister, Kathy Sue (Don) Peak, of Louisville, Kentucky.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at William L. Danks Funeral Home in Beaver Dam with Bro. Glen Geary and Bro. Marvin Dodson officiating. Burial will follow in Rosine Cemetery with military honors provided by the PFC Wesley C. Phelps Honor Guard. Friends may visit with J.T.’s family from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the funeral home.
“James, as many may know him, but Pappy to a lot of us, shared a great love to many. A love that comes from a power much greater than any man here on Earth could muster up. I know without a doubt if Pap were here today, he would definitely be the first to tell you just where that love comes from, and that man’s name is Jesus. Jesus is the one who made the way and set the example for us to walk day to day in this life. Pappy would definitely want us to share his experience of salvation and tell us about God’s amazing grace. He no doubt would desire the same for all who are here to find salvation and our experience and to get a little taste of that grace God shared with him. Pap definitely had a desire to see the lost saved. I’ve heard him speak of that a many of times. A scripture that comes to mind when I write this is Matthew 6 verses 19-21:
19) “Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal;
20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal;
21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This, to me, is the true legacy he left when he departed from this walk of life. But, yes there are many other legacies he left with us that we should remember. Pappy was a deacon at Rosine Missionary Baptist Church; a many Sundays were spent together there and for sure wasn’t a better place to be than at the house of the Lord with Pap.
Pappy was a railroader and a very dedicated one at that, many nights he spent on call but only just a call away. He spent 32 years with the railroad, and I know my Pap, he gave his all those 32 years. Pap wore a many of hats, literally all kinds of hats. Even a few we found on the side of the road and brought home for Mam to wash. Pappy served his country and community in numerous ways. As mentioned before, Pap served in Vietnam, laying down home to go protect and preserve what home was to him and all around him.
As far as the community of Rosine, a place Pap called home, he served in many ways; ways I can’t even think to list. But one big legacy I can remember is the veteran’s memorial that he and many others in the community founded and dedicated to many active servicemen and veterans from the area. I’ll say Pap really shined a light around his community and around home. His legacy to me is one of a kind. To me, my Pap was a hero, my hero.
Love from,
His little sidekick
Keep your britches loop open for me”
Online messages of condolence may be left for the family of James “J.T.” Taylor by visiting his memorial tribute at www.danksfuneralhome.com.