John Hayes Taylor MD

John H. Taylor, MD, FACS, aged 92, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Senior Living of Oakwood on Friday, June 26, 2026. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Elizabeth (Beth) (Stark) Taylor, his children Joel Taylor of Kettering, Ohio, Amy (Brent) Franz of Nokomis, Florida, and Dan (Julie) Taylor of Tipp City, Ohio. He is also survived by grandchildren Andy Harlan of Dayton, Ohio, Carley (Zach Clifford) Taylor of Cincinnati, Ohio, Becca (Breck) Arnold of Temple, Texas, Michael Taylor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Alex (Holly Marusic) Taylor of Pittsburgh, PA and Katie (Hunter Steinau) Taylor of Denver, CO, and great-grandchildren Norah Arnold and Hudson Arnold, who all loved their Papaw dearly. In addition, he is survived by his brother, Herbert (Kathleen) Taylor of Dallas, TX and multiple nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents James H. Taylor II and Alice (Hayes) Taylor, and his siblings Kathleen Dayhoff, James H. Taylor III, and Mary Taylor Previte.

John was born January 16th, 1934, to British missionary parents in Kaifeng, China. When he reached school age, he accompanied his siblings to boarding school at the Chefoo School in another part of the country. On December 8th, 1941, the school was captured by the Japanese. They were held at various locations until they were transferred to Weihsien internment camp in 1943. The camp was liberated on August 7th, 1945. In September 1945, they were finally reunited with their family after years apart.

After the war, the Taylors relocated to Spring Arbor, Michigan where his father later became the pastor of the college church. It was at Spring Arbor Junior College that he met Beth, the love of his life for almost the next 75 years. When he enrolled in Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois, he would hitchhike back to see her in Michigan where she was studying nursing. They married on September 8th, 1956. Years later, they established a scholarship for nursing students at Spring Arbor University.

He then attended the University of Michigan Medical School, graduating in 1958. Coming from a missionary family, he had intended to go into primary care. However, he found that he had an aptitude for surgery. He did his surgical residency at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio and a surgical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. He returned to Dayton and joined the practice of Drs. Shively, Lovingood and Stores. The practice later became known as Dayton Surgeons, Inc.

He enjoyed a reputation as an excellent surgeon who was very highly regarded by patients, staff and colleagues for his skill, demeanor, and integrity. He practiced as a general surgeon, but he had a special interest in vascular surgery. He partnered with nephrologist Dr. Allan Feller to develop a kidney transplant program, and he performed the first kidney transplant in Dayton in the early 1970’s. He was actively involved in the education of the Wright State Surgery residents and won awards for his teaching. Upon retiring from practice in 1993, he stepped into the role of Medical Director of Surgical Services at MVH. He held that position for the next 10 years.

He loved Jesus and was an active member of Parkview Church of the Nazarene for over 60 years. He was not a member of the choir but would enthusiastically provide the “fa la la la la’s” every Christmas when caroling. He took on leadership roles in missions, taught Sunday School, and was a greeter. He was instrumental in forming a partnership between Target Dayton Ministries and Reach Out Montgomery County health clinic in downtown Dayton.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed being a gentleman farmer on his Xenia farm until 2013 when his health no longer allowed it. He tended a huge garden there every year and provided his neighbors with the fruits of his labors. This property also allowed him to explore eclectic projects such as beekeeping, and raising silkworms, white amurs, and swans. Downed trees on the property provided him with many cords of wood to keep his wood burning stove going all winter. His days driving spikes on the railroad in his youth made him amazingly accurate and effective with a maul, sledge, and wedge. He also enjoyed hiking and summitted many of Colorado’s 14ers during family summer trips.

As a proud Michigan alumnus, he remained a loyal fan of the University of Michigan football team. He would unashamedly wear the “maize and blue” on a regular basis. When Michigan won the 2023 CFP National Championship, Dad was a happy man.

The family would like to thank his in-home caregiver, Trish, and the wonderful staff of Brookdale Oakwood and Hospice of Dayton for the excellent care he received in his later years.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM until time of service at 12:00 PM on Thursday, July 9th, 2026, at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 4701 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45429. Burial to follow at David Cemetery, 4600 Mad River Rd, Dayton, Ohio 45429. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in John’s honor please consider Parkview Church of the Nazarene, Faith Promise.