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
