James Taylor
August 6, 1951 - May 28, 2021
Raleigh, North Carolina - James Lacy "Jim" Taylor, age 69, who was taken unexpectedly from us because of a senseless tragedy on Friday, May 28, 2021 in Raleigh, NC. He was born August 6, 1951 in Alleghany County to the late Stuart and Myrtle Evans Taylor. Jim was a 1971 graduate of Cary High School and worked for many years in fiber optics at Vesatera Network Services. He enjoyed his work with fiber optics and flying his radio controlled planes. He was the current president of Raleigh Aero Masters R/C Flying Club where he was loved as a brother and had many friends. He was known to his friends as "J.T." and never met a stranger. He is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Connie Goss Taylor of New Hill and Sparta; one sister, Jane Taylor of Sparta; one nephew and spouse, Timothy and Traci Lester Taylor of Bear Creek; one niece and spouse, Allyson Vaskey and husband Cole of Huntingtown, MD, and their children Everly, Caden, and Savannah; special lifelong friends, Felix Kerr and wife Marti of Willow Springs. The family requests your presence at the graveside service to honor the life of Jim at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at Cranberry Cemetery with Brother Ralph Smith officiating. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2021 in the chapel of Grandview Memorial Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Flowers are appreciated, or memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House, 101 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 to help kids with life threatening illnesses. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Raleigh Police Department. Grandview Memorial Funeral Home is proudly serving the Taylor family and if you wish, online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.grandviewfuneralhome.com.

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Published by The News & Observer on Jun. 6, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for James Taylor

Sponsored by Grandview Memorial Funeral Home.

5 Entries

Kenneth Butler

May 31, 2023

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. We met Jim and family in the early 60, while we were at our grandparent's house down the road from them.

Boice Taylor

June 8, 2021

JT was a father-like figure to me, he introduced and taught me everything he knew about fiber optic and the network infrastructure world, he was a great man, great mentor and even better friend.... funny story. JT and I looked nothing alike.. me being a 6foot tall Black man. everytime we worked out of town we would get our hotel rooms... and the receptionist would say.. it is funny you guys have the same last name..JT with a straight face would respond. of course he's my son. and the receptionist would look up a little puzzled and with perfect timing JT would say " yea imagine my surprise!!" JT thanks for all of your Knowledge, all of the memories and giving me a chance. You will be missed.... Your Son, Boice

justin s baker

June 8, 2021

I'm very sadden to hear about this. JT taught me so much about fiber. The long nights sitting in the back of a van polishing fiber with AFL. Rest easy my friend you will truly be missed.

Boice Taylor

June 8, 2021

This is almost like losing a father for me...JT gave me my first shot in network communications... I was a young kid fresh out of college and didn't know really how to tie my shoes right yet. we worked together for many years to the point that I starting buying Airplane parts and a helicopter to see what he found so interesting about flying them lol. JT was the most caring person I have ever met, over the years of working at AFL we shared and made many stories of our own. His favorite one was...(My description is 6 foot 1 African American male). When we would go to a hotel he would get his room then I would get mine, the lady would say...thats funny you guys have the same last name...JT would say of course he's my son...with a straight face. And the receptionist always give this puzzled look and he says with perfect timing ...( Yea imagine my Surprise!!) and every-time the person helping us would bust out laughing!! I have some many fond memories with him I could type for hours.... JT was a perfect role Model and a great man...

June 5, 2021

My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of James for your loss. May you be comforted by our loving God during this very sad time, John 3:16.

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