Roll Call Tribute

Dial & Dudley Funeral Home obituary
4212 Hwy 5 North
Bryant, Arkansas 72022
Phone: (501) 847-9099
Fax: (501) 847-0511
Toll Free: (888) 977-9099

Joe Byron Taylor
December 17, 1925 - October 17, 2018

Joe Byron Taylor, age 92, a resident of Bryant, Arkansas and a loyal member of the Texas A&M family, went to the big Aggie Muster in the Sky on October 17, 2018.

He was born in Como, Texas on December 17, 1925, to Marshall Ney Taylor and Katherine "Kate" Williams Taylor. They predeceased him, as did his sister, Ila Wallace. While in high school his talent, intellect and exceptionalism was noticed by the county Farm Services agent trough his work with Future Farmers of America and 4H clubs. The agent encouraged him to transfer to high school in Sulphur Springs where he could take classes to make him eligible for college admission, mentored him and facilitated his admission to Texas A&M University in College Station. Before he was discovered by the agent he was “never supposed to go to college” so his loyalty to and support of the university never abated, as did his appreciation for the agent who helped him. His studies were interrupted by WWII when he, and most of the Aggie Cadet Corps, entered the military. After training as a paratrooper and completing seven jumps he was deemed ready to be assigned to service in the Pacific Theater. While waiting in the Philippines to be deployed to invade Japan “they dropped the big one”, so instead of fighting he entered with occupying forces.

In Japan he met his wife, Mary Beth Hess Taylor (who passed in 2004) who was stationed in Japan with the Red Cross. They married after his return and settled in Little Rock where he worked as an architect with several firms before opening his own practice in partnership with the late Courtney Renshaw. Renshaw Taylor Architects eventually included a construction arm as well. They designed and built many projects around

Arkansas. His design of the Ashley County Courthouse in Hamburg was recognized as the first in Arkansas with round courtrooms. He felt that better represented the equality of justice. He ended his career as a highly regarded consultant and mediator in construction disputes as his breadth of knowledge was universally respected and his fairness was never questioned. He developed many creative solutions that resolved seemingly insurmountable impasses.

Joe and Beth raised three sons; Joe Byron Jr., Mark LeNey and Alan Kevin. He worked to instill in them traditional values of hard work and striving for achievement, and was on the forefront of progressive ideas about social justice in the 1960s. He encouraged each of his sons to pursue their own path. He assured that his boys had educational opportunities and was very proud of his sons and their families.

He is survived by his sons. Byron’s family includes daughter Amanda, her husband Jeff and their daughter Penelope "Poppy", daughter Claire, her husband Josh and daughter Olivia, and their mother Lynn Ferguson Taylor. Mark’s family is his wife Gillian and daughter Rhianna. Alan is married to wife Angela with children Leo and Elise. Joe spent the last 35 years of his life enjoying life on the farm in Bryant with his partner Deanna Lamb. They had a wonderful life together and she took outstanding care of him the later years respecting his wish to stay home. He valued being a part of her family and became an adopted grandfather to a host of Dudleys, Corbells, and Shannons.

Granddaddy loved all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; from the Taylor side and the children from Deanna's family. Rose Dudley’s Facebook post typifies their love for and experiences with him.

I didn’t get to say goodbye before you fell asleep, but there’s a part of me that’s found joy in that. The word goodbye sounds too dismal in such a cause for celebration as you enter your Father’s arms. I know where you’re going. And until I see you again, I’ll cherish your hugs and remember the scent of aftershave and coffee that clung to your collar always. I’ll hold onto our early Saturday morning McDonald’s dates with Mema and rainy days in your office piled high with blue prints, your stereo wafting the good stuff from open windows. I’ll remember to include Randy Travis and Johnny Cash tunes in my heart and know I’ll always be a buffalo girl deep down inside. And I’ll thank God that I was fortunate enough to have a Papa like you. We were not blood, but that never stopped you from loving me.

Special thanks to the VA for exceptional care especially by Matt Bishop and Dianne Jones with the home care team, and Aleasha Archer from Kindred for her loving personal care. Memorials may be directed to the Texas A&M Foundation at https://www.txamfoundation.com

Funeral service are provided by Dial and Dudley (4212 Highway 5 North, Bryant, AR) on Tuesday morning October 23, 2018. Viewing is at 9:30 and the service is at 10:30, followed by burial with military honors at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sherwood. Pallbearers include sons Bryon, Mark and Alan, Gil Dudley, Mark Corbell and John Shannon.

Dad, you had a long run and a good run. We know you were tired at the end, but you can rest now. Whenever we hear “San Antonio Rose” we will know you are with us.


VISITATION
Dial & Dudley Funeral Home
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Email Details
4212 Hwy 5 North
Bryant, Arkansas 72022

FUNERAL SERVICE
Dial & Dudley Funeral Home
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Email Details
4212 Hwy 5 North
Bryant, Arkansas 72022

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
12:00 PM
Email Details
1501 W Maryland Ave
Sherwood, Arkansas 72120