James Lee Taylor

James Lee Taylor (Jim) passed away on March 20, 2026, in Rogers, Arkansas. He suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage and, after a brief hospitalization, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. He was born December 1, 1954, in Limestone, Maine to Charles Warren Taylor and Eva Ruth (Austin) Taylor. After many childhood moves, due to his father’s military service, they settled on the family farm near Marshfield, Missouri. Jim met the love of his life, Ellen Southwick, at Marshfield High School where they both graduated in 1972. They married on June 16, 1978 and later welcomed their two sons, Warren and Garrett.

After graduating from Southwest Missouri State University in 1976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Management, Jim began his 42 year professional career. He worked in the aviation industry in Kansas, Nevada, and Oklahoma after which he was employed at Preformed Line Products (PLP) in Rogers until retirement.

Jim found joy in many pursuits, especially flying, music, and time in his shop. He soloed his Taylorcraft BC 12-D in 1977 and later flew across the United States in his Cessna 170 and 180, sharing his love of flying with Ellen and their sons. He recently restored his Uncle John Taylor’s J-3 Cub, an airplane treasured by many in the family. A talented musician, he loved singing, playing the guitar, mandolin, violin, and other instruments, and was a familiar face at bluegrass jam sessions and festivals. He was also a skilled woodworker, crafting musical instruments, toys, cabinets, and countless projects with his boys.

Farming was another of his hobbies. His first summer job was helping his great Uncle John Byrd harvest wheat in Happy, Texas and later he helped work on the family farm in Missouri. His dream of having his own farm on which to raise his sons came true in 1996 when he found a small farm where he built his home and a grass airstrip in Lowell, Arkansas.

Most important to Jim was his relationship with God. He expressed his choice to serve God when he was 14 at Happy Convention and was baptized there at age 17. He kept faithful to his convictions by daily reading, praying, and sharing spiritual bread in home fellowship meetings all over the world.

Jim is preceded in death by his father Charles Taylor; infant older brother Carl.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ellen; sons Warren Andrew of Topeka, Kansas and Garrett Wade of San Angelo, Texas; mother Eva Ruth of Marshfield, Missouri; brother Stephen (Donna) of Benton, Kansas; sister Martha (Tom) Davis of Springfield, Missouri; nieces Amy (Michael) Kelly of Dumfries, Scotland, Katie (Steven) Anderson of Saline, Michigan, and Julie (Luis) Orozco of Dallas, Texas; nephew Evan (Tara) Taylor of Benton, Kansas; and many other beloved family members.

We are deeply grateful to the many friends and family who stood by, near and far, during Jim’s hospitalization. The love and support shown to all of us brought deep comfort.

You can listen to the funeral service with the conference number (857) 799-9640. There is no code to connect.