Toby Joe Taylor

Toby Joe Taylor was born to Guy and Winnie Taylor on June 5, 1925 in Cooper, Texas and passed away at age 96 on February 15, 2022. While a young boy, the family moved to a rural farming community near Colorado City, Texas. Upon graduating from high school, knowing he never wanted to see another milk cow, mule-drawn plow, or West Texas dust storm, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served aboard the tanker ship USS Armadillo as part of the Pacific Fleet during WW II and completed his service at Dallas Naval Air Station.

Toby’s parents, brother, Don, and baby sister, Margaret were now living in Avion Village in Grand Prairie, Texas, and they all made their home together. Eventually, Toby purchased a home in Arlington, Texas for the family to share. He lived in that home until 2017.

Toby traded life on a ship for life on a train. He began his railroad career with the Missouri- Kansas-Texas RR and eventually retired from the Santa Fe RR. After retirement, with ships and trains in the rear-view mirror, he had time to get behind the wheel of his car and travel all over the USA, often visiting family and old friends along the way. He loved fast cars and auto races. For 28 years he sat in his reserved seats at the Indianapolis 500.

Until age 91, he continued to take care of his home and yard, drive to Pioneer Cafe twice daily, relax on his patio, watch car races and most other sports on television, and read the Dallas Morning News from front to back. He lived the final years of his life in Lake Jackson, Texas, near his sister and brother-in-law.

Toby was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Winnie Taylor; brother, Donald Ed Taylor; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Taylor.

He is survived by his sister, Margaret Taylor Cast and husband Bobby; nephew, Randy Taylor and wife Stephanie; great-niece, Valerie Taylor; and great-nephews, Preston Taylor and Cameron Taylor.