J.C. Taylor, age 94, of Long Beach, California, whose growing up years were in Fillmore, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from declining health problems.
J.C. was born on December 4, 1927 in Newport, Oklahoma to James Claudie and Ellen Taylornee Talbot and came to Fillmore, California with his family in 1936.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Eva, sisters: Geneva Rich and Kathy Kappler, and his brother: Boyce. He is survived by his son, Ernest Bruce Taylor (nee Boyer), Daughter-in-Law, Janet Taylor (nee Hocker), grandsons: Elliot Henry Millerd-Taylor and Neal Spencer Millerd-Taylor, and his sister Maxine Holley Merry. J.C. is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was dearly loved by all his family and acquaintances.
J.C. attended Fillmore schools, graduating with the Class of ’45. In his high school years he excelled in several sports, most notably at the time basketball. In one particular competition in the gym he made 76 straight free throws. Someone remarked “that guy is as sharp as a razor!” “Razor,” that was the name his fellow students and many adults continued to call him throughout his life. It was immortalized by a tattoo on his arm. To his family “J” was the name of choice.
J.C. enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and served for 20 years, primarily in the AF Security Forces. In 1952 he married Evangeline Pearl Boyer. They had been married for 66 years at the time of Eva’s death in 2018. With their son, Ernie, they lived at 6 different USAF Bases during his career and J.C. deployed twice on his own. It started at March, AFB, CA; Abilene AFB, KS; Ben-Guerrir AB, French Morocco; Davis-Monthan AB, AZ; Yokota AB, Japan; Malmstrom AFB, MT; Fairchild AFB, WA; U-Tapao AB, Thailand; and, finally Beale AFB, CA. J.C. retired from the Air Force after 20 years and the family settled in Long Beach, CA where he was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 22 years.
J.C. and Eva loved to dance. They participated in square and round dance events in many states, and Canada.
J.C. was also a bowler, starting while in Japan. He learned quickly and became the ABC PACAF bowler of the year in 1960 after rolling a 707 series. He bowled regularly in the Orange County area. He competed in State and National tournaments, and was a regular at the High Roller competitions. He bowled eight 300 games and two 800 series and was admitted into the International Bowling Hall of Fame in 1997. The closure of all bowling alleys in 2019 for the COVID-protocols ended his bowling years.
Being chosen to be a member of the Fillmore Union High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, meant a lot to “Razor.” He had very good memories of growing up in Fillmore, especially the high school years and sports. He loved coming back for visits staying with his sister at the Holley ranch, driving around town to see how it had changed and attending the annual Fillmore Alumni dinners.
J’s other hobbies included working any daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper, coin collecting and gardening. He was always a fan of 40’s music, especially Benny Carter.
J.C.-Razor-J was a wonderful and helpful “big brother” to his siblings, a loved husband, Dad, Grandpa, Pops. His remaining family members will miss him very much.
If you wish to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests they be made to the Fillmore High School Alumni Association or the Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame.