Jan Taylor

Jan Taylor, 75, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 11, 2015. He was born on September 2, 1940 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He graduated from Russellville High School in 1958, and was the founder and owner of Jan Taylor Plumbing Company from 1970 - present. He was a member of East Side Baptist Church and served in the children’s ministry for over 40 years. He was passionate about telling others about Jesus and traveled to Africa where he was aptly named “Jan the Jesus Man” by the village children. This name was chosen by his band members to be the name of his beloved gospel band that he played with. “The Jesus Man Gospel Band” plays at many area churches, as well as ministering to prisons all over the state. He loved playing the guitar, mountain biking, building cars, and spending time at his cabin at Lake Ouachita with his family. One of his greatest joys in this life was being called “GrandJan” by his grandchildren and their friends. His compassion and love for others was evident to all who knew him.

Jan was survived by the love of his life, Beth, his wife of 56 years; his son and daughter-in-law, Ty and Mary Taylor of Fort Smith, Arkansas; daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Rodney Smith of Denver, Colorado; and his grandchildren, Lauren Taylor of Denver, Colorado, Zachary Taylor of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Savannah Smith Laura and her husband, Anthony, of Denver, Colorado, Spencer Smith of Denver, Colorado, Brooke Taylor of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Lauren and Natalie Upton of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Jan is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Kenny Carlton of Mt. Ida, Arkansas and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, T.O. and Mabel Taylor and his infant grandson, Taylor Dean Smith.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 14, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Chapel at East Side Baptist Church in Fort Smith. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 15th, at East Side Baptist Church in Fort Smith, with private graveside to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Carl Friddle, Cody Friddle, Bob Campbell, Jamie Dempsey, Ross Griggs, Neil Griggs, Ed Hickman and John Davis. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Jesus Man Gospel Band.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Freedom Within Ministries, P.O. Box 5523, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913 and East Side Baptist Church Children’s Ministry, 2710 Massard Road, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903. To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.