Leon Taylor

Funeral services for Leon H. Taylor, Jr., of Carrabelle, Florida, will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Allen and Allen Chapel. Rev. Mark Collins will officiate and a private family ceremony will be held at a later date. Mr. Taylor passed away Friday, April 10, 2015, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Born October 26, 1930, in Thomasville, he was the son of the late Leon H. Taylor, Sr., and Missouri Chastain Taylor. He graduated from Thomasville High School and Elon College, where he played baseball. He played professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He served in the US Army as a paratrooper. He began his career as a disk jockey for WPAX in Thomasville. He was a salesman for WCTV, WALB, and United Artist in Atlanta, Georgia. He opened a retail furniture store in 1961 in Thomasville, Georgia, and continued in that field for 25 years. He sold real estate in Florida and also received his captain’s license. His passion and love for sailing continued throughout his life.
He is survived by JoAnn Taylor, a son, Mike Taylor (Cheri) of Thomasville, daughters Lynn McKenzie (Norrie) of Acworth, Georgia, Chris Parrish, and Pattie Wood, both of Thomasville, Georgia; grandchildren, Morgan Taylor, Hunter Taylor, Garrett Taylor (Aubrey), Julie McKenzie, Matt McKenzie, Courtney McKenzie, Britney Glass (Ross), Jeremy Parrish, Jennifer Donovan, Jack Wood, Jaidyn Wood, and 4 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice, Inc., 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308, or Alzheimer’s Association Central and North Florida, 378 Center Pointe Circle, Suite 1280, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701.
The family will receive friends 6-8 PM, Monday, April 13, 2015, at the funeral home.