Rev. Donald J. Taylor

      Rev. Donald J. Taylor, 87, of Wister, Oklahoma, left his earthly home and arrived at his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. He came into this world as the son of Flora and Ewell Taylor on December 31,1926, in Royal, Oklahoma.

      Donald served in the US Army during World War 2 and upon his discharge worked various odd jobs before going to work for the Coca Cola company and becoming a refrigeration repairman for them, working mainly on the Ft. Sill base in Lawton, Oklahoma. While working there, Donald found the true passion of his life when he felt the call to become a Minister of the Gospel. In 1958 he quit the Coca Cola Company and went back to school to become an Ordained Southern Baptist Minister. He was ordained at Friendship Baptist Church on October 5, 1958. He pastored many churches in Oklahoma; Lawton, Paradise Valley, Wilson, Pauls Valley, Bartlesville, and Keyes, Then he moved to Aztec, New Mexico in 1970 to pastor there. But, missing Oklahoma, he came back to the eastern part of the state to serve as Director of Missions for Sans Bois Baptist Association. He  later pastored churches in Tamaha, Red Oak, Lequire, and Wister.

     Bro. Don, as he was known to most people, never met a stranger. In fact, most people would say you had to really try hard to NOT be his friend. He loved his family, he loved his friends, but most importantly, he loved God and he wanted to please Him with his life. One of his favorite Bible passages was John 3:16. His version went like this... “For God so loved Don Taylor that He gave His only son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  After retirement, he picked up many odd jobs to make the ends meet, but he continued to preach when called upon, mainly around the eastern part of Oklahoma. Donald married Darlene Hamner Martin on August 3, 1990. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the great-great-grandchildren.

     He is survived by his wife, Darlene of the home. Brothers: Raymond and J.F. Taylor of Porterville, California. One Sister: JoAnn Swearingen of Porterville, California;  Six Children: Donna Entrekin and her husband Billy of Spruce Pine, Alabama, Jimmy Dale (Taylor) Rowlett and his wife Linda of Hurst, Texas; Jan Gragg and her husband, Tom of Hartshorne, Oklahoma; Dan Taylor and his wife, Connie of Jenks, Oklahoma; Leah McLaughlin and her husband, Brian, of Poteau, Oklahoma; Stephanie Weston and her husband, Danny of Wilburton; One step-daughter, Donna Fields and her husband, Bob, of Wister, Oklahoma; One step-son, Eddie Martin of Red Oak, Oklahoma;  28 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren; Numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents: Ewell and Flora Taylor;One brother, Timothy James; One sister, Wandell Teal.

Memorial service will be Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 10:00 am at the Bethel Baptist Church in Wister, Okahoma. Interment will follow in Centerpoint Cemetery, Wilburton, OK.  The family will receive friends on Friday, February 21, 2014 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at the Evans and Miller Funeral Home, 411 Dewey, Poteau, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations may be made to the Donald Taylor Memorial Fund, Kiamichi Baptist Assembly, P. O. Box 9, Talihina, OK  74571