John Earl Taylor

October 13, 1935 – October 24, 2025

John Earl Taylor was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to parents Earl & Clarice Taylor. The family moved to St. Louis then to Dallas where John graduated from Highland Park High School in 1952. He graduated from Texas Tech with a B.A. in history and answered his call into the ordained ministry, completing Perkins School of Theology at SMU earning a Master of Divinity.

John married Virginia Carter in 1956, the year she graduated from Tech, honoring her parents' request to wait until after Virginia completed her degree. They were married 54 years until her death. He was married to Virginia ("Ginger") Wylie for 14 years after that. John was an ordained United Methodist pastor. Through his years of ministry he served at

Floral Heights Methodist in Wichita Falls

Wilmer Methodist Church

Archer City Methodist Church

Breckenridge United Methodist Church

Grapevine United Methodist Church

University United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls

Plymouth Park United Methodist Church in Irving

Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson

Mesquite United Methodist Church

Decatur United Methodist Church

Walnut Hill United Methodist Church in Dallas

Holy Covenant United Methodist Church in Carrollton

Lake Cities United Methodist Church in Lake Dallas

Wylie United Methodist Church

Sachse United Methodist Church

Valley View United Methodist Church

John had a passion for reading (and collecting) history and theology books. He played contract bridge for more than 65 years with family and friends. He believed in the power of the press and kept his habit of reading the Dallas Morning News every day – in hard copy. He traveled anywhere as often as possible (frequently claiming his middle name was "let's go!"). He used his initials on his license plates since the late '60s, and when he stopped driving and it became necessary for him to use a walker, the "JET" plate was transferred to the front of the walker. It evoked many comments wherever he walked.

John was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Carter Taylor, by his parents, and by his sister, Sandra Taylor. John is survived by his wife, Ginger Taylor, by his children Kathryn & Kevin Strempke and Gordon & Kelly Taylor, by his grandsons Lawson Taylor and Coleman Taylor, and by his niece, Allison Taylor Raines.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lakewood United Methodist Church in Dallas or to the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 1, 2 pm, at Lakewood United Methodist Church in east Dallas. (John would be amused by the liturgical coincidence of his service of remembrance occurring on All Saints' Day.)