Rev. Dr. John "Jack" Gilbert Taylor Jr.

Reverend Dr. John Gilbert Taylor, Jr. “Jack,” son of Gilbert and Ruth Taylor, born October 1936 in Baltimore, Maryland, recently passed after a short but fierce battle with cancer to leave this earth to join the everlasting on August 29, 2022, in Lakeland, FL.

Following his high school graduation in Orlando, FL, Jack attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree. He then went on to Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, where he earned his Master of Divinity. He was ordained into the Presbyterian ministry in Blountstown, FL in 1962. In the early years of his career, he served many churches in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. While serving as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Macon, GA, he met the love of his life, Eugenia P. Taylor, “Gena,” while co-counselors at the Presbytery church camp. They married on January 15, 1966 at Tattnall Square Presbyterian Church and later moved to Swainsboro, GA, where he served as pastor at First Prebyterian Church. In 1972, they moved to Jacksonville, FL, where he served as minister at Covenant Presbyterian Church until 1992. While raising their two children in Jacksonville, he earned DMin from McCormick Theological Seminary. He then accepted the call to serve at Westminster Presbyterian in Lakeland, FL from 1992-2003. After a brief flirtation with retirement, he accepted the calling to become the pastor at First Presbyterian of Fort Meade in 2004. After 57 years in the pulpit, he officially retired in 2019.

Jack was a leader and member of many organizations. He was instrumental in establishing the organization PEACE (Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment) and was an honorary lifetime member of CISV (Children’s International Summer Villages). Jack enjoyed traveling, fellowship with people, the beach, baseball, trains, old cars, and going out to lunch with his girlfriends.

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Eugenia P. Taylor, brothers Richard Taylor of Opp, AL and George Taylor (Julie) of Orlando, FL, children John Gilbert Taylor, III (Stephana) of Wolcott, CT, Ruth Taylor Wareham (Bryan) of Cambridgeshire, England, grandchildren Sarah Taylor Schlaudt (Joel) of Mooresville, NC, Jacob Gilbert Taylor of Bristol, RI, (their mother Karin Goodell), Cassidy Adelyn Wareham, foster son Jimmy Williamson (Janie) of Swainsboro, GA, their children, Amy, Erin, and Lance, as well as many nieces and nephews, and cats “Frankie” and “Honey.” Jack was predeceased by brothers Alan and David Taylor.

A celebration of Jack’s life was held on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 2pm at Beacon Hill Fellowship in Lakeland, FL, officiated by Tim Sizemore. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to Beacon Hill Fellowship, Fort Meade Presbyterian Church, Columbia Theological Seminary, American Cancer Society, the PEACE organization, and CISV.