Obituary of Jimmy Taylor

Graveside services for Jimmy Ray Taylor, 71, of Bridgeport, Texas will be 10:00 am Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at West Bridgeport Cemetery in Bridgeport, officiated by Pastor Robert Cox. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 3 from 6-8 pm at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Jimmy passed away Tuesday, November 26 in Decatur.

Jimmy was born September 16, 1948 in Decatur, Texas to Elbert and Bernice (Waldon) Taylor. Before retirement his career was spent in the rock crusher industry: as the night maintenance man, as a truck driver, and as a lead man for TXI. His coworkers referred to him as Rinky Dink Taylor.

When he wasn’t hunting or fishing, he could often be found tinkering in his workshop fixing things that needed fixing. In his younger days he was a shade-tree mechanic. He built all sorts of things, including a smoker/fish cooker which he designed from leftover pipe and hot water heater burner elements.

He was a ruthless gardener and could tell by glancing at tomatoes on the vine if one was missing. If that wasn’t enough, Jimmy could always spot an intruder by their tracks leading up to and into the garden. When either of these things happened, somebody had some explaining to do!

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ruby Taylor of Bridgeport; sons William Claunch and wife Kristie, and Richard Albert, all of Bridgeport; daughters Teresa Price and husband Danny of Rhome, Texas, Dianna West of Bridgeport, and Shaunda Keller and husband Nicky of Alvord, Texas; 12 grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Francis Taylor, and brother Larry Taylor.