James Taylor

On Friday, April 29, 2022, my Jimmy flew away to Heaven. He fought long and hard for 74 years before gaining his eternal wings at home with the love of his life by his side.

James “Jim” Charles Taylor was born on March 27, 1948 to Roland and Jean (Fletcher) Taylor in Lansing, Michigan. The family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan when Jim was a small child and resided in Lakeview. During his childhood, Jim enjoyed playing baseball and later enjoyed playing basketball and golf. Golf became a passion for Jim at an early age, and when he wasn’t at school, he could be found playing at Riverside Country Club.

In 1966, Jim graduated from Lakeview High School, and he began serving his country in the United States Air Force the following year in 1967. Throughout his five years of military service during the Vietnam War, Jim “traveled all over the world” and returned to Battle Creek after being honorably discharged in 1972. He then attended Kellogg Community College, receiving an associate degree, before going to work for his family-owned business at Maudie’s laundromat. It was during the next 20+ years working at Maudie’s that Jim met and befriended the love of his life, Gina.

Jim and Gina were united in marriage on July 18, 1998. Through his marriage to Gina, Jim was blessed with not just a wife, but with an entire family that included daughters Emily and Elizabeth. Jim took his roles and responsibilities as a husband and parent seriously (sometimes a little too seriously), and through it all, he showed his unwavering love and devotion to his family.

In 2001, Jim went to work for Community Action for 18 years, where he touched many lives as a driver for Senior Transportation. Jim retired in February 2018 and spent the rest of his life having fun and making memories with his family and friends. While he enjoyed playing chess, as well as bowling and pool, golf was his true passion and he spent as much time out on the course as possible.

Jim loved his family, but he also loved Jesus and longed to go to Heaven. He is loved and survived by his wife, Gina, and their daughters, Emily (Andrew) Chegwidden and Elizabeth (Theodore) Faulk. He is also loved and survived by his grandchildren, Jacob and Joanna Chegwidden and Harrison Faulk, who always put a huge smile on his face, even during his last hardest weeks. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Nina Woodman, several nieces and nephews, many other family members and friends, and a ton  of people that he touched and didn’t even realize.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Sandy, mother-in-law, Donna, and father-in-law, Gene.

An in-person and live stream memorial service will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Battle Creek, Michigan. Visitation will be one hour prior at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Junior Golf program at Cedar Creek Golf Club in Battle Creek, Michigan in memory of Jim Taylor so that local youth can learn to play and love the game as he did.