JACK RAY TAYLOR
Jack Ray Taylor was born December 23, 1937 on the family farm at Diagonal, IA to Clifford and Lorabel (Cornelison) Taylor.
Jack attended country school at Lincoln #7 and graduated from Diagonal High School in 1956. He then attended Creston Junior College graduating with a two-year degree. After college he worked for Watson Brothers in Des Moines before returning to join his father in farming on the family farm. A highlight for Jack was receiving the Century Farm Award. Later Jack spent some time selling insurance for Watson Insurance Agency in Diagonal.
Jack was united in marriage to Dixie Della Watson on June 19, 1959. Jack and Dixie raised their four children on the farm west of Diagonal where they have lived for 60 years.
Farming and running the Taylor Fiberglass business for 58 years were his life. The Iowa State Fair was an annual event. Jack only missed one state fair in 81 years. He loved camping with family and friends and always enjoyed watching the State Fair car races and tractor pull and riding the Sky Glider. Jack loved the Diagonal Community. He has been a member of the United Church of Diagonal, Diagonal Lions, Masonic Lodge, Creston Elks Lodge, Ringgold County Posse and the Diagonal Cemetery board. Jack spent many cold days and nights lighting memorial candles in the area cemeteries. Nothing was more important to Jack than his family and his dogs. He had a strong work ethic and taught his children by example. Even at 81 years old Jack could never bring himself to officially “retire”. He and Dixie spent many hours attending their grandchildren’s activities, usually arriving several hours early to get their seats. They also loved traveling and took many trips over the years with family and friends.
Jack passed away October 6, 2019 at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City with family by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Lorabel Taylor; sister, Deanna Warin; parents-in-law, Elbert and Alberta Watson; sister-in-law, Ann Warin; brothers-in-law, Bill Warin, Larry Pratt and Mark Watson; nephews, Randy and Robert Pratt and James Warin.
Left to cherish his memory are wife, Dixie Taylor, of Diagonal; daughters, Darla (Gary) Sobotka of Mount Ayr, Karen (Shon) Berry of Creston, Patty (Chris) Eaton of Mount Ayr; son, Jim (Lisa) Taylor of Diagonal; thirteen grandchildren, Rachel (Michael) Inloes, Cody (Stephanie) Sobotka, Matthew (Caitlin) Sobotka, Alex Sobotka, Austin (Cassie) Berry, Lindsay (Brett) Street, Jacob, Ty, Bailey, Caleb Taylor, Logan, Connor, and Abby Eaton. Jack and Dixie also have 11 great grandchildren with one on the way. Jack is survived by brother, Gary (Jean) Taylor; sisters, Janelle (Larry) Dalbey, Sharla (Owen) McCarron; brother-in-law, Mike (Grace) Warin; sister-in-law, Kay Pratt; brothers-in-law, Jay (Donna) Watson, Steven (Carolyn) Watson, Ken Hickman and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2019 at the United Church of Diagonal with Rev. Gwen Trullinger officiating. Pianist is Judy Newton and congregational songs of “Hymn of Promise” and “I’ll Fly Away” will be sung with the song, “Well Done” played at the conclusion of the service. Pallbearers are Rachel Inloes, Cody Sobotka, Matthew Sobotka, Alex Sobotka, Austin Berry, Lindsay Street, Jacob Taylor, Ty Taylor, Bailey Taylor, Caleb Taylor, Logan Eaton, Connor Eaton and Abby Eaton. Honorary Pallbearer is Jay Snyder. Burial is in the Diagonal Cemetery. Memorials are established in his name to be decided later. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
