Roy O. Talyor

“Well done good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:23

84, Roy Osborn Talyor departed this life peacefully Friday, July 12, 2024. Roy was born February 24, 1940 in Birmingham, Alabama to Mildred (Weaver) and Jack Talyor. Roy boarded at The McCallie School `59, graduated from Vanderbilt University `63 and migrated north to Indianapolis in the late 60s.

Our country’s founding father’s virtues of industry, moderation, temperance and sincerity as defined in Jeffrey Rosen’s recently published book entitled "The Pursuit of Happiness" sums up Roy’s character. This was the last book Roy read and it genuinely describes him leading a life well done. (We’ll return the book to the library so you can read it too.)

He met and married Martha and embarked on his most noble vocation: head of the misspelled ‘Taylor’ family north of the Mason Dixon. He also was a 54 year industrial sales executive, licensed pilot, Eagle Scout, member of Alpha Tau Omega, VP of Jaycees and served in the US Coast Guard.

For nearly 51 years, Martha would be Roy’s best friend, wife and partner. Family life was his center. He led by a steadfast example and taught his family to love God, be curious and know others. Roy had a very clear goal to create and cultivate a family that faithfully loved and respected one another. He planted the seed for his family’s extensive globetrotting adventures and was always energetic to discover and talk with civility about innovative approaches to ideas and concepts steeped in his love for history and Western civilization. Always the consummate gentleman, Roy exuded goodness and grace with a little humor in his wake.

Simple pleasures made Roy happy. He loved family birthdays doing his silly ‘count,’ telling stories with a twist or turn where it just left you thinking “hmmm, did he just say that?” Of course, all this would happen with an unattended grill charring dinner yielding a well done burger. He also loved Ollie’s BBQ sauce, lemon icebox pie, live music and any occasion to bring family together. Fishing, reading, leisurely bicycle riding during winter months in Longboat Key, baseball games, a love for all things circus, and encouraging his family’s annual voting participation brought him immense satisfaction. When you talked to Roy, you knew he was unapologetically himself without pretense and loved, encouraged and fully enjoyed his family with great joy.

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 51 years, Martha Ellen (Irby) Talyor; his loving children, Suzannah Hobley, Elizabeth Warren, R.J. (Allyson) and Martha Ellen (Jim Barth) Talyor; his 8 adoring grandchildren in birth order, E.B. Warren, Sarah Jane Weaver Hobley, Martha Claire Warren, George Talyor Warren, Walter Hartig Talyor, Fredrick Irby Talyor, Oscar Osborn Talyor and Faye Frieda Talyor. Roy is also survived by sister-in-law Dianne Talyor and nephews and niece Mike (Tina) Talyor, Leigh (Wayne) Smith, Eric (Mary) Talyor, sister Betty (Talyor) Heise and niece Janice (Richard) Hovey. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Mildred, sister Jackie (Talyor) Wood, brother Jack and heroic nephew, Bruce Talyor.

A family graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, in Birmingham, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Broad Ripple Haverford Little League, P.O. Box 20744, Indianapolis, IN 46220 in honor of Roy.