Rev. Harold O Taylor

Davie, FL… July 19, 2017… It is with equal parts sadness and joy the family of Reverend Harold Oates Taylor, who served the First Baptist Church of Davie for 33 and a half years, announces that he has gone to spend eternal life with his Lord and Savior. Born on April 17, 1930 Rev. Taylor passed away on July 18, 2017 leaving MaryAnn, his college sweetheart and loving wife of 61 years, and children Catherine Taylor Hickem and Harold Taylor, Jr.

Born and raised in Columbia, Alabama, Taylor enrolled in Auburn University to study dairy production. When Uncle Sam called, Taylor proudly served his country for four years as a Naval Mechanic during the Korean War aboard the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier. Following an honorable discharge, Taylor returned home to complete his degree at Auburn University, which he changed to Science Education, and to marry his college sweetheart, Auburn co-ed, MaryAnn Stringfellow Taylor.

Upon receiving his Masters of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, he accepted the call of Pastor and was welcomed by First Baptist Church of Davie, FL on January 4, 1961. Over the next 33 and half-years, The Taylors raised two children and became actively involved in their church and community. Through his leadership, the congregation grew and he led the building expansion project. Following his retirement in 1994, Rev. Taylor went on to pastor two more South Florida congregations: First Baptist Church of Hallandale and Gardens Baptist Church in West Park, retiring for his third and final time in 2005. “Harold tried retirement three times before it took,” laughed longtime friend and part-time Lutheran Minister, Pastor Darryl Stuehrenberg, who served Gloria Dei Lutheran Church also in Davie. “Pastor Taylor was the unofficial welcoming committee for new religious leaders who moved to Davie. He took me under his wing in 1977 and introduced me to everyone. He was the religious “go-to man” of our community, and a great friend.”

The list of accomplishments, awards, recognitions received and organizations who have honored Rev. Taylor is far too long to list, however he was very proud to be Chaplain to the Davie Police Department, Chaplain to the Davie Rodeo and a Charter Member of the Davie Kiwanis Club, which aided underprivileged children throughout the year.

During the course of their 61-year marriage, Rev. Taylor flourished from a young country boy who moved to Florida with two loves, his bride MaryAnn and God, to an esteemed and highly respected leader in his community still in love with his bride and his God. As his life came full circle, Rev. Taylor, the fourth of six children born to Harvey and Lillie Taylor, enjoyed an even greater fullness of his two great loves in addition to the respect and admiration of those placed in his path of faith and leadership. Rev. Taylor deeply affected tens of thousands of people who counted on him for God’s word and guidance, and if they were lucky, a country boys delight of a six-pack of R.C. Cola and a box of moon-pies.

In addition to his loving and devoted wife MaryAnn, Rev. Taylor is survived by daughter Catherine Taylor Hickem of Atlanta, Georgia and son Harold Taylor, Jr. and daughter in law Stacy Gardner Taylor of Cleveland Tennessee, grandchildren Taylor and Tiffany Hickem, Chad, Brittan and Ethan Taylor, eldest sister Wilma Yance of Dothan, Alabama and youngest sister Marjorie Odom of Huntsville Alabama.

Visitation: Forrest Lawn South Memorial Gardens & Cemetery, 2401 Davie Road, Davie, FL, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on July 20, 2017. 954.316.4706. Prayer service: New Life Baptist Church on2400 South Pine Island Road in Davie, FL 33324 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on July 21, 2017. 954.423.3933. Burial will immediately follow at Forrest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 2401 Davie Road, Davie, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Gardens Baptist Church located at 3210 S.W. 59th Terrace in West Park, FL 33023. Church Office: 954.983.4343.

Pallbearers: Ethan Taylor, Ricky Taylor, Ronnie Taylor, Rick Murrell, Dave Kennedy, Ronnie Bergeron, John Wilson, Tommy Gill, Harvey Kovac, Harvey Johnson and Jim Kleinrichert