John "Jet" Taylor Sr.

John E. Taylor, Sr. “Jet”, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at Baptist Health Floyd, after a courageous battle with leukemia at the age of 85 years old. Jet was born on March 7, 1938, in Lancaster, Kentucky. His family moved to Greenville, Indiana when he was two years old. Jet later moved to New Albany as a young adult.

Jet never met a stranger, and he was known as “Grampy” to all. Jet worked as an independent star route mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for over 13 years and then as an over-the-road semi-truck driver for over 35 years. He retired from Sentinel Transport with a Teamster Local 89 retirement in 2012. Jet was an avid Kentucky Basketball fan. He loved watching the Kentucky Wild Cats play ball in his spare time. Jet also loved to take rides around the area in his Lincoln, and the driving fever really hit him at 80 years old when he even drove his fiancé clear out to the western United States to show her all of the historic sights! Also, he nicknamed himself the" tanker yanker "at his last driving job because he was driving tanks then. Jet always enjoyed sitting on his front porch, having his coffee while visiting with his neighbors and his family on nice warm days. Jet was much loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Jet is preceded in death by his parents Hayes and Clara (Smiley) Taylor; his brothers and sisters, Henry, Thelma, Lula, William, Hanley, and Vivian; his wife, Janet Taylor, and fiancé Donna Troncin.

He is survived by his children, Jennifer S. Ledbetter (Alan), and John E. Taylor, II; his grandchildren, John “J.T” Taylor (Jackie), Jaxon H. Taylor, and Shane Taylor Ledbetter; his great-grandchildren Makenna, Landry, and Paxton Taylor; sister-in-law, Beth Taylor, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation for Jet will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

Jet will be laid to rest in Kraft Graceland Memorial Park following services.