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Let the family know you are thinking of them
Jerry Taylor left those he loved and entered into eternal peace on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Jerry was born on April 14, 1937, in McCamey, Texas. He grew up in several oil camp communities in Eastern New Mexico and West Texas. His father was a popular and highly skilled diesel mechanic who worked for Humble Oil. Jerry was a skilled athlete — playing basketball, baseball, and football in Snyder, Texas.
Jerry met the love of his life, Mary Lou Cary, when he was a sophomore and she was a freshman at Snyder High. Mary Lou has always said that once she saw Jerry, «he didn’t have a chance.» Jerry and Mary Lou were married on June 14, 1957 in Snyder, and moved to Portales, New Mexico, where they both attended Eastern New Mexico University. Jerry played on Eastern’s golf team, where he had his first of five lifetime hole-in-ones!
Jerry and Mary Lou were blessed with three daughters, Tanya, Angie, and Jana. While living in Jal, New Mexico, Jerry kicked off his 24-year long career as a teacher and coach, securing his first of seven state championships.
Jerry and Mary Lou moved with their family to Tempe, Arizona, in 1966, and both took positions with the Scottsdale Unified School District. Jerry again was a standout coach at Coronado High in Scottsdale, coaching golf. While at Coronado, Jerry’s teams won five Arizona State Championships in golf. Jerry loved the game of golf and was a skilled «scratch» golfer. Jerry’s love of golf manifested into the creation of the Esperanza Junior Golf Association, where he organized children from Eloy and Casa Grande to learn the game of golf. He was also an active golfer over the years at Valley courses and was a member at Desert Mountain and Torreon.
After retiring from teaching, Jerry ran a successful life insurance and land syndication business. He also started the Tempe Town Halls, where he kept politicians honest and his community informed. Because of his activism, the junior golf program in Tempe was changed for the better.
Jerry will be remembered as a good-hearted, decent, generous, selfless, loving man of great and steadfast faith, who loved and cherished his family, his students, and his friends.
Jerry was preceded in death by his mother and father, Andrew Jackson Taylor and Winnie Jean Taylor Schomer, and his brothers JL Dyer and Ray Dyer.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Lou; his daughters, Tanya Moulton and her husband, Timothy Lee Moulton, Angie Taylor, Jana Arredondo and her husband, Jeff Arredondo; his brother Jackie Taylor; his sisters, Paula Ruder and Kay White; his grandchildren Hannah Belle and Eric Moulton Belec, Oscar and Fiona; McKay Moulton, McCartney and Jefferson Heffner; Andrew Moulton; Maycie and Chris (Thornton) Timpone; Colby Thornton; Tate and Sabrina Thornton; Max Arredondo; Logan Arredondo; Rachel and Michael Collay, Max and Oliver; Callen and Shade Shutters, Juniper and Theodore.
Jerry’s memory will be treasured by all who knew him, and he is and forever will be missed. A service in his honor will be held at Tempe Mortuary at 1:00 PM on Sunday January 29, 2023, and a celebration of his life will be held at the Shalimar Golf Course immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jerry’s memory to First Tee Phoenix, Firstteephoenix.org and the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Posted online on January 27, 2023
Published in The Arizona Republic
