Jerry F. Taylor

Jerry Francis Taylor, age 77, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at The Hospice of East Texas Homeplace in Tyler, Texas. He was born on March 23,1948 in Jacksonville, Texas, to his parents Francis and Dollie Taylor. He married the love of his life, Darlene Taylor on April 11, 1968 in Henderson, Texas. Jerry was raised in Flint, Texas and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. He then joined the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church Tyler, Texas.

Three of Jerry's favorite interests were sports, food and music. He enjoyed playing many sports, but he would always tell stories about playing church league softball. He included a story of when they played as many as 300+ games in a single year. He loved coaching t-ball, baseball, soccer, basketball and football. His players always loved him! In his later years, he liked spending time watching sports with his favorite teams being the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys.

Jerry loved good "hot" food and enjoyed sharing with others his opinions on his favorite restaurants, dishes and quality. He loved Mexican food, but his real love was trying to find the best chicken fried steak.

Music was a fun part of his life. He loved to sing. Whether it was riding around in his truck, singing with his kids and grandkids, or gathered around the Christmas tree, singing with the family. He always had fun singing. He spent many years on the Praise Team at First Baptist Church South Campus and the Adult Choir at First Baptist Church Tyler, Texas. Because of him, all of his children, grandchildren and his great granddaughter have a love of music.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Francis and Dollie Taylor.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene Taylor; his daughter, Lisa McClure and her husband, David McClure; son, Clint Taylor and his wife, Allison; daughter, Brandy Barr; grandchildren, Ashlee Langdon and her husband, Michael, Annika McClure, Austin Taylor and his wife, Callie, Avery Taylor, Alex Mora and her husband, Joshua, Taylor Barr, and Jackson Barr; great granddaughter, Drew Taylor and sister, Dianne Phillips and her husband, Earl.

Honorary Pallbearers: Austin Taylor, Taylor Barr, Jackson Barr, Joshua Mora, Michael Langdon, and Allen Hurst.

Celebration of Life 1:00 PM, Monday, February 23, 2026, at First Baptist Church Tyler, 301 W. Ferguson St., Tyler, Texas 75702, with Rev. Pike Wisner and Rev. Clint Taylor officiating.

Time to visit with the family will be available following the service at First Baptist Church Tyler, 301 W. Ferguson St., Tyler, Texas 75702.

Contributions in Jerry's honor may be made to Music Ministry at First Baptist Church Tyler, Texas, 301 W. Ferguson St. Tyler, Texas, 75702