John Gregory “Greg” Taylor

John "Greg" Taylor
John “Greg” Taylor

John Gregory “Greg” Taylor, 63, of Amarillo, Tx died Tuesday, August 27, 2019.

Greg Taylor was born in Lockney, Tx to Windell and Barbara Taylor.  He lived many places growing up as a minister’s son but called Amarillo home since 1971. He attended Caprock High School where he was active in ROTC and President of the Rodeo Club.  It was there that he met Denise Horn at a high school rodeo.  They both graduated in 1974 and were married December 14, 1974.

In July of 1974, he joined the Amarillo Fire Department and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1982, at the age of 25.  In 1984, he was asked to be a part of the Arson Task Force and completed the Amarillo Police Department’s 53rd Academy. He then joined the Fire Investigator’s office in Amarillo. While there he attended ATF school and in January 1989, he was appointed Fire Marshal for the City of Amarillo and retired from public service in December of 1995.  He then went into private investigation and worked tirelessly in the area he loved for the rest of his life.

When he wasn’t working, he loved fishing, working on projects with Denise but most of all loved spending time with his grandkids and watching them do what they loved.

He is survived by his wife, Denise, of 44 years; son, John Marcus Taylor and his wife Rachel of Murphy, TX; daughter Tiffany Shelton and her husband Phillip, of Amarillo;  grandchildren John Gage Taylor, Avery Taylor and Chloe Shelton; his father, Windell Taylor, of Amarillo, brother Larry Taylor and wife Teresa, of Amarillo; brother Jeff Taylor and husband John Lacaria, of Austin; sister Kim Lopshire and husband Dave, of Schaumburg, IL; father-in-law, Joe Horn, of Amarillo; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Taylor, of Amarillo and mother-in-law Billie Horn, of Amarillo.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 31, 2019, at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with Bryan Van Meter officiating.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

13 Replies to “John Gregory “Greg” Taylor”

  1. On behalf of my grandmother, Edith James and myself, Freddie James we are saddened by the loss of Greg. Edith is Greg’s aunt and resides in Gentry, Arkansas. We deeply regret not being at the services today but at 99.5 years old Edith does not travel well.

  2. Denise & Taylor family,
    I am so very saddened by your loss. The class of ’74 has lost another great one way before time should’ve been. I enjoyed him in school but I also had more contact than that. His dad was preacher at church I attended in high school.y prayers & thoughts are with you today & the days to come
    May God comfort you in this time of need
    Love to all of you.

  3. I knew Greg vaguely from our days on the fire department but became even better friends with him later on Facebook. His words during his illness were truly an inspiration. God bless Greg and his family.

  4. Denise – Kurt told me about your loss! I’m so very sorry – way to young! He was a really wonderful person!

    In deepest sympathy,
    Jennie (Ecker) Hall

  5. This comes as a complete and total shock to me! I am so very sorry to hear this and my thoughts and prayers go out to Denise and the family. Greg was a good man and very much loved and respected by all those that knew him.

  6. Great shock, few will realize the contributions Greg made to the Amarillo Fire Department and the development of the Arson Division. He was dedicated to being a great arson detective and fireman. Greg was a friend to anyone he met – always a smile and encouragement. Great loss as a father and grandfather to his family. Greg understood perseverance and so does his family in this loss.

  7. Please accept my deepest sympathies in the loss of your dear one. The Taylor family has always been highly regarded in my family. I will always remember the time I “babysat” for a few days while Windell and Barbara were gone for a few days. Lovely memories.
    Leta Young (my parents were John and Mary Boyett, maybe some of the siblings will remember us.)

  8. We are all so sorry for yalls loss. We love all of your family. You will be in our prayers you lay this amazing man to rest. The Hancock family

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