Terry Taylor

Terry Taylor left this earth on January 3,2024. He was a very special unique person, an excellent role model, highly respected and deeply loved. Although he was considered a quiet man some say they "could listen to him talk all day". People were always amazed by him talking about his experiences in his life, the many different hats he had worn, and all the great stories he loved to share.
Terry Taylor was born and adopted on the same day. His biological parents chose Everett Taylor and Hazel Johnson Taylor to be his loving parents who they knew would be wonderful parents. Terry joined them on February 3, 1943 and became the little brother to another adopted son, Jack Riley Terrell, who was 12 years of age. He grew up also as a brother to his first cousin, Bill Johnson, each loved spending time together and traveling to compete in the rodeos across the country. His brother, Jack, "Buba" passed away just a short time ago and his memorial service was held at the Johnson Ranch on Saturday January 6,2024.
As a teenager his first jobs were parking cars at the Floyd Casey Baylor Stadium. He also sold popcorn while yelling going up and down the stairs. Other jobs of his youth were hauling hay and being a brick layer. He was raised in Chalk Bluff and graduated school from Connally High School. He loved most being a rancher, working with cattle and horses. He began a banking career at Citizens National Bank in Waco and next became a loan officer at a Houston bank.
He got anxious to leave the big city and moved back to the country, living next door to his parents in Chalk Bluff, Texas. After 3 sons were born and adopting a baby girl, they grew up together as a family enjoying rodeoing. Every weekend was spent taking the children to participate in bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing. Terry served on the board of the Heart of Texas Rodeo Association and a member of several riding clubs. He was trail boss for numerous trail rides. All 4 children continued the legacy of his love for horsemanship, ranching, the outdoors and his work ethic. His eldest son carries his legacy on with being an accomplished horse trainer, certified riding instructor and ranch owner of more than 25 years.
In 1984, Terry married Darlene Downes Wendland and gained an additional 3 more small children, 1 more son and 2 more girls. He had the honor of walking these 2 young ladies down the aisle in marriage. Following his career path with AT&T his children Alan and Krisha, both now also work for AT&T. Another way he was honored by his daughter Krisha, was by naming her first child Taylor, as a surprise to him and not announcing her name till after birth. Terry and Darlene were entering their 40th year of marriage and always worked as a team having the same values and even thinking alike.
All seven children praised their father. He was loved and honored as much as any father could be by his children.
After working with AT&T for 32 years he retired and began another chapter of his life consisting of a lot of volunteer work and also helping his wife, Darlene, in her Home Interior business by packing her freight orders and using his bookkeeping skills.
For a short time, Terry was also bookkeeper and Treasurer for Southwest Church of Christ until a merger which later became New Road Church of Christ. There he was a volunteer driver for delivering Meals on Wheels for over 10 years and also volunteered to keep the grounds and church lawn by enjoying his love of riding the lawn mower. He did this along with his friend, Mike Stanford, for around 10 years. He lessened his wife's home duties, so she was available to do more volunteer work.
Terry has always been a faithful Christian trying to be the person God wanted him to be. He was endowed with attributes of a righteous man and always showed humbleness above all. He lived his life with a purpose and was always a source of encouragement. There are many Christian qualities which he exemplified. He was kind, generous, patient, loving, faithful, and meek. He was brought up in the Church of Christ on Herring Avenue and later his baptism took place at Lake Shore Church of Christ by Brother John Featherston. As a faithful Christian he looked forward to the reward that all the obedient and faithful will receive of going home to be with Christ. He maintained his faithfulness no matter what he faced in his life and always stood firm. He was an excellent father and teacher, loved by all.
Surviving him and trying to follow his footsteps are his wife Darlene, 7 children: Jody Taylor and wife Lisa, Chad Taylor and wife Rhonda, Heath Taylor, Holly Taylor, Alan Wendland and wife Kristie, Chanda Rivers and husband Brad, Krisha Weingartner and husband Ty; 7 Grandchildren: Heather, Riggen, Channing, Caden, Colby, Taylor, J.T.; and 6 great grandchildren: Carrigan, Lana, Lily, Ryker, Easton, and Adley.
He fulfilled his purpose on this earth and will always be loved and never be forgotten. He was definitely one of a kind, wonderful husband and best father ever.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Road Church of Christ Missions Fund.