James D. Taylor

James Donald Taylor passed away peacefully at his home in his sleep on Monday , May 1, 2017 at the age of 96. He was born in Wenatchee, Washington, winter of 1921, at the Gallatly House, which later became the Deaconess Hospital. His family lived on Iroquois Lane in Monitor when he was born, but they soon bought an apple orchard on Pogue Flat near Omak, Washington, where he was reared. During his high school years he was active in the Presbyterian Youth group, went to State in Javelin and the Mile relay for Omak and was a thespian. Jim met his future wife, Estel McKay at a high school graduation party. After attending Whitworth college for two years he joined the Marine Corps in September of 1942 and shipped out from SanDiego to the South Pacific on his 22nd birthday. Jim wrote to Estel that, if he survived, would she be willing to wait for him. Estel wrote Jim every day he was gone. He made PFC. after Guadalcanal. Jim spent 148 days on different ships and 90 days on the front lines. He was injured during the landing on Guam. He was on the first assault waves on Bouganville and Guam, and was with K Company on Iwo Jima. He was evacuated off Iwo Jima and came down with Malaria after returning to the States. Estel and Jim were finally able to get married in November of 1945 a month after his discharge from the USMC. He was a proud graduate of WSU where he obtained a BS in Horticulture and worked on a business degree. His first job in Wenatchee was with Skookum. He also worked at Northwest Wholesale as an accountant for 34 years and retired as Assistant Treasurer. Jim Taylor was a member of the Wenatchee Brethren Baptist Church. He was a past President of the Apollo Club and member for 50 years, a member of Kiwanis for 48 years, on the Board of Directors for the Wenatchee Museum for 6 years, and a past President of the Wenatchee Community Concert Association. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Estel, and his son James “Ted” Taylor. He is survived by a daughter Camille (Chuck) Leidigh, five grandchildren: Aven (Ginny) Leidigh, Azure McCormick, Cedar Leidigh, Cassia(Antone) Abbott, and Cherith (David) Cochran. Plus six great grandchildren: also a niece Peggy (Max) Lembeck and a nephew Tom (Linda) Taylor. Jim Taylor was known for being a gentleman and the traits of steadfast and faithful described him well. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. There will be a memorial service at the Brethren -Baptist Church on Peachy and Orondo on Saturday May 27th, at 11:00 AM, 2017. Donations can be made to the Charity of Choice. Jones and Jones Betts was in charge of the burial at the Wenatchee City Cemetery.

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James D. Taylor

January 24, 1921 - May 1, 2017