Joseph Taylor

JOSEPH "JOE" TAYLOR - The Cowboy Auctioneer, of Avilla, was called to pick his guitar and sing for his Heavenly Father on Thursday, March 24, 2011, surrounded by his family. Born May 11, 1921, in Portsmouth, Ohio, the son of Bertha (Skaggs) and Joseph D. Taylor, and moved with them to Fort Wayne at age 15 when his father became trainer of Berghoff Farms' show horses. He met Pauline Corbat at Arcola High School; they married on Nov. 20, 1941; she preceded him in death in February of 2007. They raised two children who were on stage with him as toddlers and went on to follow in their father's musical footsteps. He worked 40 years at General Electric, retiring in 1981 but was best known for his career in country music. Starting out solo in the mid-1940s, he did a fifteen minute morning live broadcast weekdays over WFTW. In 1948, he formed his band known as the Indiana Red Birds (the Red Birds). In 1943 , he graduated from Reppart School of Auctioneering, a vocation that was the inspiration for his writing, "He's a Cowboy Auctioneer," the first song to use an auctioneer's chant. Taylor and his band recorded the song in 1948 on the Red Bird label and in 1950 the late cowboy star, Tex Ritter, recorded it on Capitol Records. He and his Red Birds broadcast live Saturday programs over WOWO and WGL, the latter for more than 17 years. Many of his guests on the show went on to national stardom. For 16 years, the Red Birds opened shows at Buck Lake Ranch, Angola, for such super stars as Gene Autry, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Minnie Pearl, Dolly Parton, George Jones and the Lennon Sisters of Lawrence Welk fame. Taylor and his partner of more than 50 years, sister-in-law, Patty Corbatt, wrote and recorded over 50 tunes for at least seven labels. After more than 50 years in the country music scene, they retired the band on New Year's Eve of 1998 and preserved memories of those 50 years in a book they wrote together entitled, "50 Years Together: the Red Birds Remember." During those 50 years, Taylor was recognized in numerous national country music publications. In 1988, he was honored with a plaque from Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame for his achievements and commitment to the industry. Taylor was one of only several Hoosiers among 1200 country music entertainers included in a 1995 book sold internationally entitled, "Definitive Country: the Ultimate Encyclopedia of Country Music and Its Performers." Gov. Frank O'Bannon in 1997 named him a "Sagamore of the Wabash", the highest award given to a Hoosier citizen. The Indiana State Legislature in 1999 presented him with a Resolution thanking him and his band for the entertainment brought to their audiences. He and Corbat donated countless items from their musical past to the Fort Wayne Historical Museum. Joe graced lives with his great voice and charisma with an audience, but his children and grandchildren remember him as more then a star. They remember the MAN that he was - loving father and grandfather. "Dad was a country music legend not only in these parts but also in the world of country music. He could have had a chance at the big time, but because of his love and devotion to his family he chose to stay in Fort Wayne. Thinking about his choice, this is our tribute to dad in an excerpt from our song 'Big Fish in a Little Pond' written for him at his retirement." He had said, "I'd rather be a big fish, in a little pond. All that matters is makin' folks happy when they hear me sing my songs. You can get lost as a little fish, in the big stream in Tennessee. But a big fish in a little pond is what I'm gonna be. A big fish in a little pond is fine with me." His grandchildren always said their grandpa's favorite pastime was "talking." They cherish his countless stories he told them and the memories made while eating Coney Island hot dogs or fishing at Jellystone. Another bell rang in heaven. Clarence the angel in "It's a Wonderful Life" said it best: "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." Surviving are his son, Dan (Chris) Taylor of Fort Wayne; daughter, Paula Jo Taylor (John) Marqueling of Nashville, Tenn.; partner in the Red Birds, Patty Corbat of Avilla; grandchildren, Jesse, Joey, Amanda, Brendan, Brittany, and Bryce; three step-grandchildren, Matt, Andy and Danielle; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Taylor and Rylee; his beloved Pomeranian, Dolly; and his countless friends. He was also preceded in death by his parents. A Celebration of Life service is 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, 2011, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road. Mass of Christian Burial is at 3 p.m. Thurday, March 31, 2011, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Arcola. Father Dan Leeuw and Father John Pfister officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to the service and also from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2011 and and from 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at the funeral home. Burial in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Arcola. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, SPCA's of Noble or Allen County or Masses.