A graveside service and interment will be held for Jay at the Marklesburg Union Cemetery in Marklesburg, PA.
Jay was born December 22, 1936, in Huntingdon, PA, the only child and son of the late Paul James Taylor and Laura Mary Weller Taylor. Jay attended Ten Broeck Academy and Central High School in Franklinville, NY. Jay went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Houghton College, and his graduate degree from Indiana University. After graduate school, he completed graduate work for the University of Connecticut, Alfred University, State University of New York at Fredonia, NC State University, and Edinboro State University. In the years after his graduate studies. Jay was a junior high and high school science teacher for Alfred-Almond Central School, Limestone Union Free School District, and Westfield Academy & Central School. Jay then relocated to North Carolina, teaching Biology and Physical Science at Wingate College for many years. Jay was a member of Wingate Baptist Church, where he produced and presented a sporadic series “The Gospel According to Country & Western Music”.
Jay was a teacher by profession, but country music was his passion. He valued old time country music, the stories it told, and the people that the music connected. His song “Marklesburg Station” was published in 1993. Jay also published a bi-monthly country music newsletter “Country Music Trails Less Traveled”. In 2004, Jay was inducted into the Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame. Jay is remembered by his family and friends as a gifted person, who was one of the brightest and most intelligent people they had ever met.
Jay is survived by his seven first cousins, and a host of friends, former classmates and students, and country music fans scattered “halfway around the world”.
Jay’s family would like to extend a special thank you to his dear friend and honorary family member of almost 50 years, Mr. Harvey Michael. The family would also like to thank Barbie Medlin with Union County Department of Social Services for the compassion, kindness, and love that was given to Jay.
In lieu of flowers, Jay requested that memorials be made to Wingate Baptist Church, 109 E. Elm St., Wingate, NC, 28174.
Davis Funeral Home of Highpoint are honored to serve the family of Jay Taylor. An online guest register book is available at www.davisfuneralsandcremations.com.
