Rev. Thomas H. Taylor, 81 of Midland, died on Tuesday, October 15, 2002, in Midland. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, October 19, 2002 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel Midland with Rev. Ken Northcutt and Rev. Ray Hamlin and Rev. Larry Bailey, officiating. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories in Sweetwater with military graveside rights. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 18, 2002 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland.He was born on February 22, 1921, in Roscoe, Texas.Mr. Taylor was part of the Roscoe track team and participated in the 100 yard dash, hurdles, low hurdles, relay, and high jump. Coming in first, second, and third many times. He played varsity football and was offered a football scholarship. Thomas Howe Taylor and Irene Morton married April 10, 1943, at 11:30 PM at the Methodist Parsonage on Aiken Street in Columbia, South Carolina by the Reverend B.L. Kilgore. During their marriage, they have called home: Columbia, South Carolina, Roscoe, Longworth, Merkel, and Sweetwater, Texas. Thomas H. Taylor, 38133567, Staff Sergeant, AirCorps, United States Army received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action over Sawar, Dutch New Guinea on 28 April 1944. Mr. Taylor was an Engineer Gunner for the Air Force, a Gypsum Mill employee for nine years and has ministered for 36 years. He belongs to the Methodist Church and has been a member of the Lions Club and Kiwanis Clubs. Mr. Taylor began his ministry in 1957. He was ordained an Elder, May 28, 1964 at 7:39 PM by Bishop Paul V. Galloway, Polk Street, Methodist Church, Amarillo, Texas. Rev. and Mrs. Taylor lived and served in churches throughout West Texas, North Texas, and Hobbs, NM. Additional churches he served were located in Sweetwater, Sundown, Hart, Hermleigh, Garden City, Odell, Chillicothe, Cotton Center, Darrouzette, Rotan, Loraine, Westbrook, Forsan, Union, and Truscott.Survivors include his wife; Dorothy (Nita)Taylor of Midland, one son & daughter-in-law; Walter and Linda Taylor of Stanton, three daughters & three son-in-laws; Louise and Butch Tanksley of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Dorothy and Jim Rogers of Placentia, California, Janie and Billy Burch of Lubbock, one brother and sister in law; Buddy and Jewell Taylor of Lewisville, ten grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and one niece; Donna Easom, three cousins; Jimmy Morris, Mary Ann Peck, Barbara Chrane, three step sons, one step daughter, and their families.Hewas preceded in death by his spouse of over fifty years; Irene Morton, one son; James Arthur Taylor , one granddaughter Trina Lynn Taylor, his parents; George Arthur Taylor and Mable Grace Howe, paternal grandparents; George Marion Taylor and Alice Rosa Anderson, maternal grandparents; Annie Ward, and Thomas Howe.The family suggests memorials to: The Methodist Children's Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, Texas 76708 or The Midland Senior Center, 3301 Sinclair Ave. Midland, Texas 79707.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. www.npwelch.com,
