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James L. Taylor

Sep 17, 2021

James L. Taylor passed away Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Jim or Coach Taylor as he was affectionately known, attended Eagle Avenue Elementary School in Charles Town and graduated from Page-Jackson High School. After graduating high school, Taylor enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Korean War.

After serving in the US Navy, Taylor enrolled in Shepherd College (now Shepherd University), in 1955 and graduated from Shepherd College with a BS and AB degrees and a Corrective Therapist Certification. He attended graduate school at West Virginia University and earned a Master of Science Degree in 1965.

At Shepherd College, Taylor played football and was the first African American to play on the team which became the first undefeated team in the history of the college.

After receiving his education, he became a teacher at his former high school, Page-Jackson High School in Jefferson County where he taught general science, biology and physical education. There he coached football, basketball and track. Taylor also accepted a teaching position at the new Harpers Ferry Job Corps facility. There he taught math, reading and GED classes for the students that attended. He coached basketball, cross country, track and boxing.

Taylor was then offered a teaching position at Jefferson High School, where he taught biology, human anatomy and physiology. In addition, he was junior varsity football coach, assistant basketball coach and head coach for cross country and track and field.

Taylor was very active in the community and had a love for history, especially African American History in the Shenandoah region. Taylor was one of the founding members of Jefferson County Black History Society, Inc. to which he was elected president.

Taylor was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Young Taylor, his mother, Harriet E. Taylor, father Beverly Douglas Taylor, brother Beverly Douglas Taylor Jr. (Pudd), his sister Mary Taylor Doakes. He is survived by his Daughter, Cheryl Taylor-Lashley (Wayne), His son, Randall Y. Taylor, Brothers Dr. Bernard F. Taylor, Shirley Taylor (Mary), Samuel P. Taylor (Doris) and a host of Nieces, Nephews, great nieces and great nephews, all of his cousins, whom he was also very close to. His special Niece Colony Velez and Great Niece Elizabeth M. Doakes for their time and care.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, 256 Halltown Road, Harpers Ferry, WV.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

Condolences may be expressed at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com.