Obituary of James C. Taylor

James Clinton Taylor, Sr. passed from this world August 9, 2021. He died at his home in Coffeyville, with his wife Mary Ellen at his side. Jim was born on December 26, 1934 to James O. and E. Lucille Taylor in Wichita, Kansas. In 1945, he moved with his parents and sister Mary to Coffeyville where his father founded Taylor Bag Co. Jim graduated from Field Kindley High School and attended Oklahoma University. Jim married Barbara Joyce Estes in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Together having three children, James, Elizabeth, and Greg. Later they divorced. Jim married Mary Ellen Barker of Sibley, Missouri in 1965. She had a son, Robert, who became a member of the family. Together, having a daughter, Mary Kai. Jim was an industrial liquidator and owned businesses in Coffeyville & Wichita, KS; Monroe, LA; Houston, TX and Tulsa, OK. In 1998, he returned to Coffeyville to be near family. Jimmy enjoyed dogs, raising five Labrador Retrievers in his lifetime. All were cleverly named Colonel Dog. Jim also had a passion for the circus. For six years, he volunteered at the Great Circus Parade, an old-time circus that traveled by train from Baraboo to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jim attended the Bible Baptist Church in Coffeyville, and was a member of Keystone Masonic Lodge #102 A.F. & A.M. in Coffeyville and Mirza Temple Shriners in Pittsburg, Kansas. He is survived by his wife, 5 children, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren; Mary Ellen Taylor (wife, of the home), Robert Taylor of South Coffeyville, James "Jim" C. Taylor, Jr. of Tulsa, Elizabeth Taylor of Topeka, Greg Taylor of Canton, TX and Mary Kai (Eric) Brandenburg of Liberty, Missouri (children); Mary Virginia Taylor (sister) of Coffeyville and her son Michael Owen Taylor of Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Owen and Evelyn Lucille Taylor. Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 23, 2021 at the Veterans Memorial Patio in Fairview Cemetery with Pastor Daniel Knight of the Bible Baptist Church officiating. Masonic Rites will be conducted by Keystone Masonic Lodge #102 A.F. & A.M. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday, August 22nd from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.