Obituary for Eugene Allen Taylor
Eugene Allen “Grandpa” Taylor, 89 years old, of Amarillo, Texas, formerly of Pampa, has finished his mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is now sitting by His side in Glory. Eugene drew his last breath on Thursday, April 20, 2023, and traded in his old used up earthly shell for a brand-new eternal one! He was born on January 25, 1934, in Collingsworth County to Ross and Jewell Taylor.
As a youngster, Eugene attended Samnorwood schools and at the age of 15 started driving the school bus. It was during this time that he began to get sweet on a young lady named Martha Ann Kidwell and to stack the odds in his favor, he drove in the opposite direction of his route to pick her up. Eventually, on June 8, 1951, she married Eugene and they remained happily married for 46 years until her passing in 1998.
Claiming to be a master electrician, he worked several years at the Celanese plant before venturing out on his own with his pest control business that he successfully ran for nearly 50 years. One to stay busy, Eugene had served on the Board of Directors for the Freedom Museum, as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee at Highland Baptist Church as well as a committed Deacon as long as his body would allow. He volunteered his help as often as he could and claims to have “ran a million miles of electrical wire through Highland Baptist Church over the years.” He was very generous with his time as he was always willing to drive friends and church members to doctor’s appointments or just run errands if needed. Another volunteer duty that he proudly embarked upon was as handicap parking enforcement in Pampa. He carried such a sweet personality and a gentle soul that others couldn’t help but be drawn to him.
He loved fishing and spent countless hours on woodworking projects, he was famous for telling the best stories and likewise the corniest jokes, but he’s best known for his absolute devotion to first and foremost, witnessing to others about God’s love and second, his undying love for his crazy family – which he claimed to be the chief of! Rest easy good and faithful servant.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Martha Ann Taylor and Mary Cox Taylor; four sons, Randall Taylor, Kevin Taylor, Steve Taylor and Keith Taylor; a sister, Meritta Owens; a brother, Thurman Taylor and a grandson, Justin Taylor.
Those whom he cherished most to leave his memories to are his daughter, Janet Tomme and husband Mike of Amarillo; a sister, Carolee Murray and husband EK of Caldwell; daughters-in-law, Denise Taylor of Pampa, Beverly Taylor of Howardwick; a plethora of grandchildren, Brent O’Neill of Amarillo, Coury O’Neill of Amarillo, David O’Neill of Amarillo, Joshua Taylor of Pampa, Kristan Mobley and husband Jeremy of Guthrie, OK, April Lee of Pampa, Erica Smith of Pampa, Kevin Winget and wife Alysha of Amarillo, Jason Downs and wife Jana of Pampa, Jeremiah Downs of Pampa, Jeff Taylor and wife Denicia of Fritch, Jason Taylor and wife Hillary of Amarillo, Sydney Taylor of Pampa, Kendra Ruth and husband Nick of Pampa, Chelsea Ellis and husband Darrin of Yukon, OK; numerous great-grandchildren as well as great-great-grandchildren and a multitude of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends from the VA who will all miss him dearly.
Eugene will be available to pay respects from 2 – 8pm on Sunday, April 23rd and again from 9am – 8pm Monday, April 24th at Winegeart Funeral Home, 303 N. Frost.
Celebration of Life Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Highland Baptist Church with Brother Paul Nachtigall officiating. The burial will take place following at 4:00pm at Plymouth Cemetery (Samnorwood), near Shamrock. The family has entrusted the care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
Should donations be a preference, the family suggests they be made to Highland Baptist Church, 1301 N. Banks Street, Pampa, TX 79065 or to the Freedom Museum USA, 600 N. Hobart Street, Pampa, TX 79065 in honor of Eugene.
As a youngster, Eugene attended Samnorwood schools and at the age of 15 started driving the school bus. It was during this time that he began to get sweet on a young lady named Martha Ann Kidwell and to stack the odds in his favor, he drove in the opposite direction of his route to pick her up. Eventually, on June 8, 1951, she married Eugene and they remained happily married for 46 years until her passing in 1998.
Claiming to be a master electrician, he worked several years at the Celanese plant before venturing out on his own with his pest control business that he successfully ran for nearly 50 years. One to stay busy, Eugene had served on the Board of Directors for the Freedom Museum, as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee at Highland Baptist Church as well as a committed Deacon as long as his body would allow. He volunteered his help as often as he could and claims to have “ran a million miles of electrical wire through Highland Baptist Church over the years.” He was very generous with his time as he was always willing to drive friends and church members to doctor’s appointments or just run errands if needed. Another volunteer duty that he proudly embarked upon was as handicap parking enforcement in Pampa. He carried such a sweet personality and a gentle soul that others couldn’t help but be drawn to him.
He loved fishing and spent countless hours on woodworking projects, he was famous for telling the best stories and likewise the corniest jokes, but he’s best known for his absolute devotion to first and foremost, witnessing to others about God’s love and second, his undying love for his crazy family – which he claimed to be the chief of! Rest easy good and faithful servant.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Martha Ann Taylor and Mary Cox Taylor; four sons, Randall Taylor, Kevin Taylor, Steve Taylor and Keith Taylor; a sister, Meritta Owens; a brother, Thurman Taylor and a grandson, Justin Taylor.
Those whom he cherished most to leave his memories to are his daughter, Janet Tomme and husband Mike of Amarillo; a sister, Carolee Murray and husband EK of Caldwell; daughters-in-law, Denise Taylor of Pampa, Beverly Taylor of Howardwick; a plethora of grandchildren, Brent O’Neill of Amarillo, Coury O’Neill of Amarillo, David O’Neill of Amarillo, Joshua Taylor of Pampa, Kristan Mobley and husband Jeremy of Guthrie, OK, April Lee of Pampa, Erica Smith of Pampa, Kevin Winget and wife Alysha of Amarillo, Jason Downs and wife Jana of Pampa, Jeremiah Downs of Pampa, Jeff Taylor and wife Denicia of Fritch, Jason Taylor and wife Hillary of Amarillo, Sydney Taylor of Pampa, Kendra Ruth and husband Nick of Pampa, Chelsea Ellis and husband Darrin of Yukon, OK; numerous great-grandchildren as well as great-great-grandchildren and a multitude of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends from the VA who will all miss him dearly.
Eugene will be available to pay respects from 2 – 8pm on Sunday, April 23rd and again from 9am – 8pm Monday, April 24th at Winegeart Funeral Home, 303 N. Frost.
Celebration of Life Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Highland Baptist Church with Brother Paul Nachtigall officiating. The burial will take place following at 4:00pm at Plymouth Cemetery (Samnorwood), near Shamrock. The family has entrusted the care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
Should donations be a preference, the family suggests they be made to Highland Baptist Church, 1301 N. Banks Street, Pampa, TX 79065 or to the Freedom Museum USA, 600 N. Hobart Street, Pampa, TX 79065 in honor of Eugene.