The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Bobby Joe Taylor, 79, of Orange passed away in Beaumont, Saturday, March 22.

Bobby Joe was born in Fitzhugh, Ok. on Nov. 22, 1934, to Ernest and Virginia Taylor. He graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in 1952. While serving in the Army (1957-1959) he met his wife of 53 years, Barbara Ann Kitchens, of Augusta, Ga. Bobby Joe was a lab analyst at DuPont SRW for more than three decades. He served as an Orange County Precinct 3 Deputy Constable for 24 years, escorting local athletes to their sporting events, serving legal documents, assisting with investigations and other official county duties. He thoroughly enjoyed being a man of the law.

Bobby Joe was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Darrell Taylor, all of Orange.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Taylor; sister, Joyce Gandy of Houston; brother, Donny Taylor and wife, Rhonda, of Orange; his children Karen Finchum of Sulphur, La., Kenneth Taylor and wife, Sandy of Bridge City, and Kaycie Donnaud and husband, Walker, of Orange; grandchildren Taylor Finchum of Sulphur, Hunter Taylor of Orange, Haylee Taylor of Bridge City, Gracie, Parker Ann, and Colt Donnaud, all of Orange.

Bobby Joe was well liked by many. He always had a smile on his face and never had a cross word to say about others, except in politics. He loved his family very much, hugged them tightly before leaving and was the anchor that held them together to the end. As a life-long science-buff, Bobby Joe elected to donate his body to the University of Texas Medical School System to assist doctors in studying cancer and helping to find a cure.

Visitation will be at the Cowboy Church of Orange County, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 29. A memorial service will be held from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, where family and friends will share their cherished memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in the name of Bobby Joe Taylor to the Cowboy Church of Orange County.