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JACK TAYLOR Obituary

Taylor, Jr. Aug 1, 1938 - Aug 4, 2014 DALLAS, TX Jack Howard Taylor, Jr. age, 76, of Dallas, Texas, died on August 4, 2014, in Frisco, Texas. He was born on August 1, 1938, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Cathrynn Louise (Allen) and Jack Howard Taylor. Jack was a Pulitzer Prize nominee and an award winning, investigative journalist. He worked for newspapers across the country, including OPUBCO (The Oklahoman), The Denver Post, The Dallas Times Herald, and The Los Angeles Daily News. After serving in the newspaper industry for over 30 years, Jack established a private investigation firm, Taylor Research & Investigations, in 1992, which he operated until his retirement in 2012. Jack was also proud to have served his country in the United States Armed Forces, including the U.S. Naval Reserve (1955-1958), the Regular U.S. Army (1958-1962), Jungle Warfare Expert (1959-1981), U.S. Army Reserve (1962-1963 and 1965-1981), and the Oklahoma Army National Guard (1963-1965). He resigned his commission as a major in the infantry in 1981. Jack served his community and his church, The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, by contributing his time and funds to a variety of causes. His philanthropic work included creating and operating the Dallas Area Needle & Syringe Exchange (DANSE) and working with various agencies supporting persons with aids and the LGBT community. Jack is survived by his wife of 54 years, Myrna Taylor, of Dallas, Texas; five children, Vernon Lee Taylor, Stephen Blake Taylor, Kathryn Marilouise Violette, Shannon Elizabethann Taylor, and Stephanie Suzanne Taylor; six grandchildren, Ashley Taylor Skeff McKinnon, Christine Reynier, Cody Parkin, Zac Taylor, Casey Violette, and Donovan Taylor; three great-grandchildren, two nephews and a niece. Jack was preceded in death by two sons, Jack Howard Taylor, III and Philip Alexander Taylor; parents, Cathrynn and Jack Taylor; and his sister, Oteka Lou. A Memorial Service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration with Interment in the church columbarium on Saturday, August 16, 2014, at 2 p.m. To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com www.tjmfuneral.com

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

Published by Oklahoman on Aug. 12, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
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Gail Weinstein Halverson

March 20, 2018

True, anyone who ever crossed paths with Jack will never forget him. I met him in 1980 on a plane returning home to Dallas after a business trip to Oklahoma City. Sitting next to each other, we started talking. Jack told me he was headed to Dallas to appear in court because he refused to reveal sources on a story. Being a huge fan of investigative reporters without whom we would rarely know the truth about many events, I lauded his efforts. A couple days later clients in the Oklahoma City area called to tell he referred to our conversation and mentioned me by name in the Feb. 10, 1980 front page article. Because I felt so privileged to have met such an illustrious investigative reporter, I never forgot his name, recently came across his 1980 business card when I was purging papers and to this day the newspaper article is in my scrapbook. The world is better off because he was in it. So sorry we lost him at such a young age.

Jennifer Taylor

December 28, 2014

So sad to read this news of Jack's passing. He and my dad were cousins and I called him when my Dad died last year. He was the family historian. Wish I had the opportunity to know him.

S. Moxley

December 27, 2014

Since my days as a young reporter in Dallas in the 1980s, I have been thankful that someone as special as Jack graciously took time to train and inspire me about courageous investigative journalism.

August 12, 2014

I have not seen Jack since high school. Our fathers worked together. He was a nice guy. Sandra Wright Gavin

August 11, 2014

Jack was a beautiful man...a superb reporter and investigator..and with his lovely wife, Myrna,he adopted many, many children who needed help, love and guidance. Everyone lucky enough to have crossed paths with this fine and gentle man will never forget him.

Joel Pugh

August 10, 2014

Jack was a great guy. He always 'called a spade a spade'; and didn't cover up the truth, even when the truth was ugly.
I will miss him.

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