John Arrington Taylor Jr

John Arrington Taylor, Jr.

John Arrington Taylor, Jr., age 86, passed away peacefully at his Mandeville home surrounded by loved ones on November 2, 2026. Born on January 30, 1940 in New Orleans to Joyce Hindermann Taylor and John Arrington Taylor, Sr. He initially attended Holy Name of Jesus School in New Orleans and later St. Paul’s Elementary School in Covington, graduating from De La Salle High School in 1957. After attending Loyola University and serving in the United States Coast Guard he married Rose Marie Manchon and raised his family primarily in the New Orleans area.

A commitment to service and strong work ethic began in his high school years where he was Editor of the school paper and yearbook and President of Junior Achievement and Student Council. He lettered football and track and was Captain of the track team. Continuing his commitment to De La Salle he served the Alumni Association in multiple capacities and was honored as Outstanding Alumnus.

“Johnny” pursued a career in the life insurance industry, earning the Chartered Life Underwriter designation from American College of Life Underwriters. He excelled as an agent and manager, ultimately working as General Agent for Aetna Life and Casualty, The New England; as well as Regional Manager for Pan American Life and Philadelphia Life. For many years, he worked in the home office for Pan American Life Insurance Company as a Superintendent of Agencies and then Vice-President of Marketing Services. In his later years, he operated John A. Taylor Agency and continued to enjoy helping his clients, never truly retiring from his work.

Throughout his life, Johnny was active in professional associations, serving on Boards of Directors, as President or an officer for New Orleans and Shreveport Associations of Life Underwriters and as Chairman of various committees within the Louisiana Association of Life Underwriters. He especially enjoyed the years as Chairman of the State Conventions and training other agents.

Active in his church and community, he was on the Board of Directors at Manresa House serving as Secretary and acting as Captain of Manresa Retreat for several years, as well as a lector in his home church parish.

Johnny will be remembered for his hospitality, parties and appreciation of good food. He loved gathering with family and friends and entertaining in his home. Family celebrations for special occasions were a particular joy.

Tennis and travel were favorite pastimes. He enjoyed many years of competitive tennis with his spouse and took advantage of opportunities to travel; providing his children and grandchildren with many fond memories of family vacations.

He was most proud of his children and grandchildren and will be remembered for his warmth, generosity and calm spirit whose presence will be missed. He leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and compassion.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Joyce Marie Hindermann and John A. Taylor, Sr.; his first wife and mother of his children, Rose Marie Manchon Taylor as well as his second wife Melanie Manard Sullivan Taylor.

Johnny was the loving father of three children and three step-children, and proud to be “Papa” to 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Jeanne-Marie E. Ganucheau (Richard), John Denis Taylor (Amy) and Christopher G. Taylor (Jill); and his step children, Erin S. Maxwell (Ken), Scott K. Sullivan, Jr. (Michele Cooper), and Colleen S. Sands. Along with grandchildren M. Elise Ganucheau Terral (Thomas), Charlotte R. Ganucheau Garma (Max), Megan E. Taylor Jaynes (Marc) and J.D. Taylor (Sarah), Emily A. Taylor (Drew Simel), Adam D. Taylor (Sara) and Benjamin C. Taylor (Mercedes), William J. Fleming, Mary M. Fleming, Alexis L. Sullivan, Elle M. Sullivan, Abigail M. Lee (Chris), Sydney S. Sands, M. Hanna Sands and Slade S. Sands (Savannah).

He is also survived by his sister Barbara Taylor Breaux and brother-in -law Lonny C. Breaux.

Also surviving are cousins, nieces and nephews and their families, along with life-long friends and professional colleagues, who will miss him very much.

Family and friends are invited to visitation at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Mandeville on November 9th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 pm.

A private burial for family will follow at St. Joseph’s Abbey Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be offered to St. Tammany Hospice or St. Joseph’s Abbey.