Artie "Coach" Taylor

Artie Dwayne Taylor stood 6’7” and somehow managed to have an even bigger heart. Born July 25, 1975, in Indianapolis to Artie and Marva Taylor, he grew into a man who lived and breathed basketball, faith, and family.

Artie earned his BS from John Carroll University and his MA from The Defiance College. For 23 years, he poured himself into coaching—at Wittenberg University, Ohio Dominican University, and for the last 11 years as Head Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at The Wellington School. He was inducted into the John Carroll University Athletic Hall of Fame, and his coaching career included highlights like the 2006 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball National Championship Runners-Up (as Wittenberg Assistant Coach), the 2016 Boys Basketball State Final Four, and the 2017 Boys Basketball State Runners-Up with Wellington.

Artie didn’t just build winning basketball programs—he created a space for young men to push themselves, achieving success they might not have thought possible. His players learned discipline, commitment, and love for their team. Basketball was simply the vehicle through which Artie shared his passion for growing others.

But above all the trophies, titles, and accolades, Artie’s greatest joy was his family. Christine, his wife, and their son AJ (also Artie) were his world, and he was theirs. He showed them how to live with courage, faith, love, laughter—and smooth dance moves. His legacy lives most powerfully in the family he adored and who adored him right back.

Artie was preceded in death by his siblings June Jones and Rocky Glass. He is survived by his wife Christine, his son AJ, bonus son Will Smith, Jr. and his mom Kerry Monahan. He is also survived by his parents Artie and Marva Taylor, parents in-law Nancy Eaton, Bruce and Kay Wilhite; siblings Renee Lewis, Kenny Parrish, Doug Taylor, Faye Judkins, and Tina Harris.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 14, from 2–5 p.m. at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N. High St. Funeral service will be held Monday, December 15 at 10:00 a.m. at One Church, 817 N Hamilton Rd, Gahanna. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery. A gathering in Artie’s honor will be held from 1:00-4:00 p.m. December, 15 at High Line Car House, 550 S High Street, Columbus.

The last thing Artie and AJ did together was establish the We Fight Foundation. The We Fight Foundation has been created to honor Artie’s life and continue his legacy. The Foundation will support the causes and communities Artie Taylor uplifted through his life of leadership, service and unwavering compassion. Donations to the We Fight Foundation can be made through the link below and are tax deductible.

https://columbusfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6117

If you really want to honor Artie, live with the same fire, faith, and love that he carried every single day.