Mr. Jack Allan Taylor, 79, of Greenbackville (retired in Leesburg, Fla.), passed away in hospice care overlooking Lake Harris on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025.
Born Nov. 30, 1945, in Athens, Ohio, he was the son of the late Mary Margaret and Harry Taylor. After graduating high school and moving to the Washington, D.C., area, he joined the FBI, served in the U.S. Army Reserves, and earned a bachelor’s degree from American University.
In 1984, Jack married his loving wife, Lavenia, and they were active together within the Union United Methodist Church and their community, looking after elderly neighbors and opening their home to those in need. Jack enjoyed fishing from a pontoon boat, driving to the beach, telling “fish tales,” and eating out. As a professional “wheeler-dealer” he never missed an opportunity to buy something big or small.
He is survived by two sisters, Sue Ann Rinehart, of Gates, N.C., and Sally (William “Bill”) Taylor-Gardener, of Athens; two stepchildren, Michael “Chad” Chase (LeAnne), of Mappsville, and Angela Chase (Chris) Pruitt, of Greenbackville; three foster-daughters, Laurel (Treye) Wilkerson, Tricia Bell, and Elizabeth Lankford; four grandchildren, Skyler and Andrew Chase, and Pheobe and Peyton Pruitt; one great-grandson, Jacob Chase; a brother-in-law, Edward C. “Peanut” (Cathy) White, of Greenbackville; several nieces and nephews; and a faithful dog, Paco.
Besides his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Lavenia White Taylor; his niece, Terry Hogue Wolfe; his sister-in-law, Eva Jane Marsh; and his brothers-in-law, Arthur White and Tommy Rinehart.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778 or to Union United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 5, Greenbackville, VA 23356.
