Dr. Horace Jerome Traylor

March 15, 1931 - June 29, 2021

On Tuesday, June 29, 2021, Horace Jerome Traylor, Ph.D. was called home at the age of 90. The world has lost a great son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and civic leader. Dr. Traylor died peacefully with his beloved family by his side.

Dr. Traylor was born to parents Chester Henderson Traylor and Lois Burton Traylor on March 15, 1931 in LaGrange, Georgia. He met the love of his life, Theola Dennis, while attending Howard High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The two wed shortly after high school and were married for 67 years. His loving siblings who were called home much too soon were: Chester Traylor, Jr., Edward Traylor, James C. Traylor, Johnnie M. Strozier, Marion T. Meadows, and Agnes C. Traylor. Dr. Traylor is survived by his five daughters: Sheryl L.Traylor, Ellicott City, Maryland; Linda G. Traylor, Coral Springs, Florida; Yohanna F. Traylor Al Hassan, United Arab Emirates; Chequeta R. Traylor, Burns, Tennessee; and Tonya Y. Traylor, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Traylor has four grandchildren and one great grandson: Danielle Y. Quarles Arthur, New Jersey; Rashid bin Sultan Al Ameeri, United Arab Emirates; Cody A. Traylor, Coral Springs, Florida; Leonard J. Moore II, Miami, Florida; and Alexander Kofi Appiah Arthur, New Jersey. Dr. Traylor will be fondly remembered by his three sons-in-law: Lenny J. Moore I, Kofi Appiah Arthur, and Sultan bin Yosef Hassan Al Ameeri.

Dr. Traylor dedicated his life to opening doors for others to access higher education and embrace the opportunities that followed. He first made history in 1953, when he became the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Zion College, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Traylor was the first black president of Zion College where he served from 1959 until 1964, at which time the institution was renamed Chattanooga City College. He continued as President of Chattanooga City College until 1969. It was during this time that Dr. Traylor made history again by becoming the first African American to graduate from the University of Chattanooga in 1965 with a Master of Education degree. Dr. Traylor was the key figure in executing the merger of Chattanooga City College with the University of Chattanooga, which became the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), a part of the University of Tennessee System. Dr. Traylor was not only instrumental in hosting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Chattanooga to speak on economic and educational advancement, justice, freedom, and equality for all people, but a powerful force in bringing about peaceful integration in Chattanooga.

Dr. Traylor was always a mover and shaker with a strategic plan to make life better for the communities he served. He was Pastor Emeritus of First Congregational Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he served as a minister for 15 years. While President of City College, he served on the Board of Directors for Memorial Auditorium; Tivoli Theater; Chattanooga Area Literacy Movement; Chattanooga Progress, Inc; and the Mayor’s Human Relations Committee. Dr. Traylor was President of the Council of Cooperative Action from 1960 until 1963, and President of the Community Action Program from 1965 to 1967. Dr. Traylor’s fingerprints and historic milestones continued when he relocated his family in 1971 to Miami, Florida, and joined the administration of Miami-Dade Community College as President of the Foundation and Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Dr. Traylor worked closely with Alex Haley, the author of Roots, to create an innovative curriculum focused on the achievements of African Americans. Dr. Traylor received the Life Time Achievement award prior to his retirement and served for 10 years as adjunct professor for Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Traylor was a respected educator, pastor, professor, and civic leader. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He was an innovator and trailblazer his entire life. He earned three undergraduate degrees and two graduate degrees:

Associate of Arts Degree, Zion College, 1951, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bachelor of Arts, Zion College, 1953, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bachelor of Divinity, Gammon Theological Seminary, 1958, Atlanta, Georgia

Master of Education, University of Chattanooga, 1965, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Miami, 1978, Miami, Florida

What a legacy? ... What a life? Dr. Traylor was an incredible role model who inspired so many individuals to dream “Big” and make the impossible a reality. We invite each of you to keep our father alive in your heart. We were each touched by his presence. Thank you for celebrating his life.