James Charles "Jimmy" Taylor

"James Charles "Jimmy" Taylor, 83, lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, passed away October 13, 2018 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center surrounded by family and friends.  He is survived by: his wife, Helen Spillman Taylor; daughter, Jobeth Slatten; son, James "Chip" Taylor, Jr. (Sherry); brother, J. Webb Taylor (Nora); grandchildren- Melissa Ortiz, Jessica Slatten, and James "Trey", Lauren and Erin Taylor; and great grandchildren- Emilio Garcia, Jose Ortiz, Chanel and Rowan Labit, and Elijah Fox.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Alice Brown Taylor and brother, Clark Taylor.  Jimmy was a graduate of BRHS where he was a member of the football and basketball team.  He was a graduate of LSU where he was a member of the football team, and 1957 LSU MVP, All SEC and All American.  He was a star running back of the Green Bay Packers, 1958-1966 and NFL MVP, 1962.  Jimmy was the first player of Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Dynasty to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1976, and he completed his pro football career as a member of the Inaugural New Orleans Saints in 1967.  He was inducted into the BRHS Sports Hall of Fame, National High School Sports Hall of Fame, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, LSU "Centennial Team", Wisconsin Sports Hall of Fame, Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame, LSU Athletic Hall of Fame, Green Bay Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame, was a challenger in the Television Superstars competition, and in 2000 was presented with the LSU Distinguished Alumnus Award.  He was a member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church and Lagniappe Sunday School Class.  He played in the Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope Classic, Bing Crosby, and Dinah Shore Celebrity Golf Tournaments and numerous charity events. He believed that God had given him extraordinary athletic ability and he wanted to make a difference by contributing to worthwhile organizations in his local community and his state. Besides golf, he and Helen enjoyed skiing, mountain hiking, and working out. He ran a marathon at 50.  Visitation will be held Thursday, October 18 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St, from 4-8 pm.  Visitation will resume at 11:30 am on Friday, October 19 at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Dr., until the funeral service at 1:30 pm, to be officiated by Dr. Ken Reed. Interment will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park.  Pallbearers are: Gordon Bargas, Jr., Charles Burford, Jay Canella, Clark Irwin, Gray Sexton and James "Chip" Taylor, Jr..  Honorary Pallbearers are J. Webb Taylor, and teammates from BRHS, LSU, the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Broadmoor United Methodist Church, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Johnny Robinson's Boys Home, 3209 S. Grand St, Monroe, LA 71202 or a charity of your choice.