Donald R. Taylor (AKA Don or Dr. Taylor), loving husband, son, brother, father, grandfather and friend, of League City, TX was called home to be with the Lord Thanksgiving morning, November 25, 2021, at the age of 62.
He was born a blessed baby boy on a beautiful winter day of December 3, 1958 at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, TX to Roosevelt, Sr. and Marie (Davis) Taylor. Donald was married to his High School sweetheart, Diana Bell, on May 23, 1981 in the Gardens of the Ashton Villa, in Galveston, TX. They shared 40 wonderful married years together.
Donald was baptized at an early age at Westward Street Church of Christ (Texas City, TX). He graduated from La Marque High School, Class of 1977. He was a member of the LMHS choir—he enjoyed singing. Donald Taylor followed his passion for Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Gastroenterological Research and attended Baylor University (Waco, TX), University of Houston, and the University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston, TX) achieving undergraduate and advanced degrees in Biochemistry, Medical Technology and Laboratory Medicine. He pursued his career working at Memorial Hermann, Bay Area Regional Hospital, University of Texas Medical Branch (retired), Shriner’s Hospital, Bayshore Hospital, Conroe Regional Hospital, and Saudi Aramco’s Dhaharan Hospital in Dhaharan, Saudi Arabia. He was a member of American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and had a passion for Gallstone and later Sickle Cell research.
Donald was passionate about his family and helping others. He was known for his kindness, bear-hugs, laughter, and generosity. He enjoyed cooking for his family and friends, often creating specialty dishes. He had the opportunity to travel to many countries and gathered recipes for appetizing dishes. He loved to read about any and everything but primarily medical research. He authored and co-authored many papers which were published in several different medical journals.
Left to cherish his precious memory are his parents Roosevelt, Sr. and Marie Taylor of Longview, TX; mother-in-law Sandra Bell of Texas City, TX; son Derreck Ray Taylor and wife Jenny of League City, TX; his sisters Jeanette (LeMon) LeBlanc of Pasadena, TX; Wanda (Michael) Beck of League City, TX; Kathleen Taylor of Galveston, TX; Sharon (Bernard) Kirksey of Houston, TX; brother Roosevelt Jr. (Lisa) Taylor of Longview, TX; Saudi Arabia expatriates Hank (Kelleigh) Banaszek of Kingwood, TX; Richard (Sandy) Sowers of Pennsylvania; Tom (Linda) Zwarych of Florida; sister-in-laws Gwen (Smedga) Flemming of League City; Monica (Sidney) Singleton of La Marque; Mishelene (Terrence) Baker of Houston, TX; sister-in-laws Gwen (Smedga) Flemming of League City; Monica (Sidney) Singleton of La Marque; Mishelene (Terrence) Baker of Houston, TX; three grandchildren (Tahlyn, Bryson and Myles); and a host of very special nieces, nephews, relatives, colleagues and friends.
Visitation will begin at 8:30 AM, Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Forest Park East Funeral Home followed by funeral services beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will take place in Forest Park East Cemetery. A Reception will be held at Big Phil's Creole Café, 1000 Emmet F Lowry Expy, Suite 1136, Texas City, TX 77591; after burial.
In remembrance of Donald Taylor, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their favorite charity or to the American Heart Association.
