Zachary Taylor

February 3, 1939 - March 30, 2018

New Bern

Zachary Taylor, 79 of New Bern, NC, died March 30, 2018 at home after a three-year courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. Zack was born at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC on February 3, 1939 and grew up in Knightdale, NC. Zack attended elementary schools in Raleigh and Knightdale and graduated from Knightdale High School in 1957. He then attended the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and graduated from North Carolina State University in 1962 with a BS degree in Industrial Arts. During a summer break in college, Zack sold Bibles door to door in Indiana for the Southwestern Publishing Company, an experience that Zack drew inspiration from his entire life. While at State, Zack was enrolled in Air Force ROTC and upon graduation, was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Zack married his high school sweetheart, Judy Allen, in 1961 and they enjoyed 57 years of marriage. Service in the Air Force took Zack and Judy to such places as Sioux City, Iowa and Biloxi, Mississippi. Upon fulfilling his Air Force service commitment, Zack was convinced by his old college roommate to come work as the production supervisor for a small company in Springfield, Tennessee making promotional items for school fundraising. Zack essentially designed and built various machines used in production. Zack, Judy and their young son, Brian, moved back to Raleigh in 1965 when Zack went to work for Rockwell International as a production manager. In 1966, Zack was convinced to move again, this time to New Bern as he went to work in his father's land and timber business. Shortly after moving to New Bern, a second son, John, was born and it is here that Zack and Judy made their permanent home and formed many lifelong friendships. In 1971, Zack began publishing a weekly local interest magazine, Spotlight On The East. This brought about a long line of other publications that Zack started and operated including, The Shopper, The Gazette, Carolina Business, Carolina Farmer and North Carolina Retirement . After selling the majority of the various publications, Zack concentrated his work in the area of real estate investment and development that he continued until his death. In business, Zack was known to many as a tough-but-fair negotiator and one who enjoyed delving into the finer details of anything he was involved with. An amateur photographer, wood worker, property rights advocate, reader of biographies, problem solver and all around tinkerer, Zack had many interests. He was a thinker and expected and encouraged others to do the same. Although he enjoyed much financial successes, he was unpretentious, humble, genuine and preferred to fly under the radar. Zack was active in the community, committed to his family and a longtime devoted member of Garber United Methodist Church.

Zack was preceded in death by his father, John Talford Taylor, Jr.; his mother, Doris Robertson Anthony; his stepfather, Eugene Holton Anthony and an infant sister, Caroline Taylor.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Judy Allen Taylor; his stepmother, Dora Winters Taylor, son Brian Zachary Taylor and wife Melissa Nease Taylor, son John Webb Taylor and wife Joan Vermilyea Taylor, grandchildren John Maxwell Taylor, Brian Zachary Taylor, Jr., Jake Webb Taylor, Joshua Forrest Taylor, Margaret Mary Taylor; great grandchild, Kathryn McKenna Wilmoth; brothers Lloyd K. Taylor, Edmund P. Taylor and Rhett W. Taylor; sisters Susan Hernandez, Mary Beth Anthony and Kathy Gene Richardson and many other loving family members and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Bonnie Goodwin, Dr. Rick Gorman, Dr. Piotr Dumicz, Dr. Stephen Sides, Dr. Bob Fisher, multiple other doctors, nurses and staff at CarolinaEast Medical Center, Craven County Hospice and Melinda Wheeler and her staff for their caring treatment during Zack's illness.

A memorial service and following reception will be held at Garber United Methodist Church at 2:00pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Garber United Methodist Church or the charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be made to the Taylor Family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News and Observer on Apr. 2, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Zachary Taylor

Sponsored by Cotten Funeral Home.

7 Entries

Keith Jones

April 10, 2018

Judy, Brian and John.

I was so sorry to hear about Zach's passing. The few years I spent working at The Shopper back in the 70's were some of the best times I ever had. It was really fun to run into him when I would visit from Nashville and we'd laugh about the fun times. He will forever be a fond memory in my heart. Take care and I'll keep you in my prayers.

Keith Jones

Ray and Jean Hemphill

April 4, 2018

Judy, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. It is a joy that John and our son Gerald have been friends since pre-school. Each family in those years seem to "adopt" all the children in the class.

We will miss Zack and his cordial personality.

Fondly, Ray and Jean Hargett Hemphill

Martin Mayo

April 4, 2018

I am sorry to read in the paper of the passing of Zack . I enjoyed the years we worked together in surveying the Taylor land. I will keep your family in my prayers and may God give comfort to your family in this time of loss.

April 3, 2018

Judy, Brian, John and families,

It is with a heavy heart that I heard, today, about Zach. I hadn't seen you all a lot lately, but did enjoy running into you occasionally. I have fond memories of working at the Shopper with Zack and the others there.

I know that you have enough memories to last a life time and I hope they bring you comfort in the days to come. Please know that Jerry and I share your grief and will keep you in our prayers.

Pat Prescott

Virginia Hagwood Davis

April 2, 2018

Judy and Family,
Having just found out about the passing of Zack, I reflected on some personal moments that I'd like to share with you and your family. These are memories that I cherish. Here are just a few:
*Your mother was a teacher of mine. She was such a kind lady.
*I remember us as kids walking to the General Store to catch our school bus.
*I remember Zack as a boy as he was so smart. He was also very kind to others, even those he didn't know.
*I knew Zack because of Tiny Harrell and my sister, Ernie Harrell. What a different world it was back then. Things were so much more relaxed than today.
Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Zack made a profound difference in so many lives. He will forever be remembered.

Virginia (Jenny) Hagwood Davis

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