John Richard Taylor

John Richard Taylor, age 77, of Kountze, TX, passed away on August 17, 2016. He was born to John Andrew Taylor and Ruby Jewel Causey Taylor on June 3, 1939, in Port Arthur, TX.

John lived in this area his entire life, meeting his sweetheart, Connie, while shopping for a new mattress at the store she worked.  John found many reasons to go back to the store, later marrying Connie on July 13, 1978. John and Connie were at each other’s side for the next 38 years. They raised their family with the values and standards they felt were right. Being a man of his word was important to John and this showed in the way he dealt with people, never meeting a stranger. Always being a humble and giving man, anyone that knew him knew that it did not matter the need, he would give indiscriminately. He would often joke stating, “I’m a man of clean living and self-sacrifice” and “I’m a man of few words”, but was never more serious than when talking about Jesus. John summed up salvation in one scripture, John 3:16.  One of his favorite songs was “Make My Life a Bible” and this would reflect the theme of his entire life, constantly testifying and talking of the love of his Lord to everyone that he would meet. After 41 years working at DuPont, he would spend the last 17 years of his life being referred to as a “Prayer Warrior” or “The Praying Cowboy”. Traveling the country witnessing on Radio Maria, visiting those in need and even writing a book were ways he testified of his faith. He had a tender spot for children, especially all of his grandchildren. Giving to others, especially the family he loved so much, was without thought and requirement.  He loved horses from his youth to competitive trail riding as the 1996 National Champion. The story he leaves with those he touched exemplify the legacy of prayer and good name that he left on this Earth. As he would say when leaving, “I’m glad you got to see me.” John knew his journey was about to begin and told all, “Don’t cry for me, it will be party time!”

Left to honor his memory are his loving wife of 38 years, Connie Taylor; daughters, Carrie DeWitt and husband, Larry, and Johnnie Mae Daigle and husband, Charles, and Amber Runnels and husband, Tim; sons, J.D. Barton, Chris Barton and wife, Jamie; grandchildren, Andria Holder and husband, Daniel, USMC S.S. Johnathon Bigelow and wife, Linsey, Brittany Bigelow, Kristen Armstrong and husband, Tanner, Christopher Carrell, Kaitlin Russell and husband, Chase, Brooke Runnels, Morgan Horn, Jaycee Barton, Caleb Barton, Taylor Barton, Carsen Runnels; great-grandchildren, Anthony Holder, Caleb Holder, Colton Armstrong, Marilynn Russell, Kimber Armstrong, Maddox Bigelow and plus one to come; brother, Kenneth Taylor and spouse, Marian; and his cousins raised with them, Thomas Eugene “Buddy” Mann, Nila Sue Anstack and Josha Mae Simon.

Preceding John in death were his parents.