John David Taylor

John David Taylor (Johnny D Taylor)

February 2, 1938 – July 25, 2025

John David Taylor - devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, gifted storyteller, and lifelong businessman - passed away surrounded by the love

of his family on July 25, 2025.

Funeral services for Mr. Taylor will be held Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 4:00pm in the Chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Troy with Evester Thomas and John David Taylor III officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 3-4pm at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Goshen, Alabama.

Born on February 2, 1938, Johnny grew up with little, but through grit, resilience, and a relentless work ethic, he built a life most only dream of, alongside his beloved wife, Beverly.

Johnny had a heart for hard work and a deep appreciation for those who did business with him. He wore many hats over the years - managing Crenshaw County Lake, running a gift shop and hardware store, working with Coca-Cola for 27 years. Together with Beverly, Johnny built a remarkable real estate portfolio - a testament to decades of vision, hard work, and shared determination. No matter the role, he poured himself into every endeavor and valued the people around him.

What truly set him apart was his unmatched ability to tell a story. Whether on the front porch of the Old Barn Restaurant in Goshen or at what he and his friends jokingly called their "office" - the Panama City Beach McDonald's - Johnny captivated every listener with humor, wit, and a delivery that was both honest and playful. One would always walk away feeling like they had just heard something worth remembering.

More than anything, Johnny loved his family - especially his grandchildren, who were often the stars of his stories. His legacy lives on through them and the countless lives he impacted simply by being exactly who he was.

He was the youngest child of Furman and Clara Taylor, and was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings: Willis Taylor, Doyle Taylor, Barbara Jean Williamson, and Griffin Taylor.

Johnny is survived by:

• John David Taylor, Jr. and wife Michelle, and their children Abby, John

David, III, and Grant.

• Timothy James "Jamie" Taylor and wife Lyndsay, and daughter Sydney.

• Amy Chandler and husband Scottie Chandler, and their children Jaycie,

Clara, and Lexie Grace.