Loyd Ray Taylor died July 1, 2024, at the age of eighty-nine. There will be a private celebration of his extraordinary life this fall. Loyd was a proud, lifelong Texan, born in Bonham on November 26, 1934, to Lloyd C. Taylor and Bess Taliaferro Taylor. After graduating from Bonham High School, Loyd earned a BS in Education from North Texas State College and went on to study design at the University of North Texas.

At UNT, Loyd met the love of his life, Charles Paxton Gremillion. They moved to Dallas and began their lives together as antique dealers and interior designers, opening their business, "Loyd-Paxton," in 1960. For the next 50 years, the two men established themselves as the vanguard and pinnacle of decorative arts, with clients and

business relationships around the world. It is impossible to describe the positive impact of Loyd-Paxton on the decorative arts world and the lives of their clients.

In 2014, Paxton died peacefully at their home. The well-known partnership that had been so successful for so long, was no more, but Loyd was not ready "to go gentle into that good night." He maintained the business and interior design firm until recently, continuing to work with clients in the Dallas metroplex.

Loyd had a gift for telling the story behind the design of a decorative piece. He understood that in the creation of every chair, table, chandelier or ornamental piece, there was meaning, expression, and craftmanship and he loved sharing that knowledge with others.

He was one of those rare people who embody fashion. Tall and lanky, he took great care in his look, from red cowboy boots to a fabulous scarf, and his mere entrance was a statement. Loyd was not stuffy about fashion. He simply relished it and made fashion fun for everyone.

Loyd was a patron and supporter of the arts. He loved theatre, opera and spent countless hours in area gardens and museums, always learning from the experience. He was a proud, gay man and ardent supporter of LBGTQ rights.

Aside from his outstanding design and business accomplishments, Loyd was a dear person – a "friend's friend." He had countless good friends because he never allowed a friendship to languish. On the contrary, he constantly surprised his friends with a brief note, a card, or a little gift. He loved shopping and browsing, especially on his regular walks through NorthPark Center. He chose items not only according to his own taste, but what a friend would enjoy… and he was always right.

Loyd was preceded in death by his parents and his loving partner, Paxton Gremillion. Left to cherish his memory is his sister-in-law, Anne Gremillion, her husband, John Whitworth Gayle, trusted business manager and friend, Keiichi Stevens, and countless close friends.

The family expresses gratitude for the care and attention of Tammi Bradbury, Debbie Mitchell, Quincy Moore and staff of Walnut Place Nursing Home, and Kerri Riggins of Faith Presbyterian Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in Loyd's name to Uptown Players of Dallas, Weimaraner Rescue of Texas, or the charity of your choice.

Loyd genuinely loved life – his friends, dining out, the arts, fashion, design, Dallas – and he lived life fully every day. There was often a childlike glee about him accompanied by a distinctive laugh, and that joy was infectious to those who were lucky enough to spend time with him. Today, there is an undeniable void in the Dallas design world and in the lives of friends he deeply enriched, but as we grieve, let us take a happy tip from Loyd and honor him by doing something special for a friend.