Obituary of Jerry O'Dell Taylor

Jerry O'Dell Taylor, 78, of Tucson, AZ, passed away February 17, 2018 at 9:00 AM at his home, surrounded by family; following a protracted six-year battle against cancer. Jerry was a retired Air Force Master Sergeant who served for 21 years in Japan, Guam, Thailand, Korea, Newfoundland, Georgia, California, Mississippi, and Arizona. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters. He was also a retired Tucson Unified School District bus driver of 20 years. He attended 22nd Street Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Roy Taylor, ex-wife Tome Taylor, two children, Shirley and Robert Taylor, two stepchildren, Marie Wrinn and Bill Gates, two sisters, Betty Thorn and Dorothy Ort, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers and six sisters. His parents were James William Taylor and Beulah May Smith Taylor of Paducah, KY. He was an avid cyclist, who completed the 2014 El Tour de Tucson. He also loved hiking Sabino Canyon. He especially enjoyed meeting and greeting people everywhere he went. He was greatly loved by many and will be missed tremendously. Funeral Service will be held February 23, 2018 at 9:00 AM at 22nd Street Baptist Church. Burial Service will follow at South Lawn Cemetery at 11:00 AM.