Harry Paul Taylor Jr.

Harry Paul Taylor, Jr, entered into his eternal rest on January 14, 2013, in Pasadena, TX. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Paul Taylor, Sr, and Jane Blosser Taylor. He is survived by his former wife of 29 years, Sarah Taylor, his daughter, Catherine Taylor Gooding and her husband, Mat Gooding, his sons, Pete Taylor and Will Taylor, his brothers, Joe Taylor of Scottsdale, AZ, and George Taylor of Newport Beach, CA., and his grandsons, James and Ryan Gooding.

Harry was born in Providence, RI, on November 5, 1943. He began playing tennis and golf at an early age. He graduated from Arcadia High School in Arcadia, CA., and attended Texas A&M University on a golf scholarship. He was a champion golfer in both California and Texas. Harry continued playing golf throughout his life and enjoyed the game very much.

A great deal of Harry’s life was devoted to teaching tennis. Harry started teaching in Pasadena in 1976 at the Pasadena Racquet Club and then taught at Strawberry Tennis Center, where he was the head tennis pro for 17 years. Harry touched the lives of many in the community through his tennis lessons. His impact on his students continued beyond the time they spent taking lessons, and many of them were awarded tennis scholarships. Some were even able make careers in tennis, passing on Harry’s knowledge to future generations of tennis players. Harry’s presence at the tennis center reached beyond his students and his generosity and love for people was felt by all who visited the tennis center.

Although Harry’s passing was sudden, he was able to live a long and full life and maintained the ability to do all the things he loved throughout. Even through his late 60s he participated in tennis matches and played in team golf tournaments. He was on both the golf course and tennis court up until the day before he passed. He was able to follow his other interests, and spent time writing, playing in poker tournaments, and was also a life master in the game of bridge.

Harry will be missed by many, most of all his family.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 19th at 12:30pm at the Grand View Funeral Home located at 8501 Spencer Highway in Pasadena. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made toward the POJO Harry Taylor Scholarship Tennis Tournament to Pasadena Noon Optimist Club 3218 Spencer Hwy. Pasadena, TX 77504.