James Edward Taylor

TAYLOR, JAMES EDWARD (1906 ~ 1995). The following is an obituary for James Edward Taylor which was printed in the October 14, 1995 edition of the Austin American-Statesman.

"James Edward Taylor, Major General, Retired, died October 13, 1995, in Austin, Texas. General Taylor was born in San Marcos, Texas in 1906. He was educated at San Marcos Academy and received his degree from Baylor University in 1927.

After college and prior to World War II, he was the publisher and editor of weekly newspapers in Kerens and Corsicana, Texas. He served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives in 1939 and 1941 and three terms in the Texas Senate in 1945, 1947, and 1949.

In 1938 General Taylor enlisted in the Kerens 'E' Battery, 132nd Filed Artillery, Texas National Guard as a private. In November of 1940, he entered the armed services with the 36th Infantry Division and was mobilized as a Second Lieutenant. He served with the 36th Division throughout World War II and was in North Africa, Italy and France, participating in the landings at Salerno, Anzio and Southern France. He advanced in rank from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel and commanded the 131st Field Artillery Battalion throughout the Italian and Southern France campaigns. He was decorated three times, holding the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the French Croix de Guerre.

After the war he served three sessions in the Texas Senate (1945, 1947 and 1949). During this period the Texas National Guard was undergoing reorganization and then Lieutenant Colonel Taylor became the Executive Officer of the 36th Division Artillery. In 1947, he was promoted to Colonel and in 1948 he became the Chief of Staff of the 36th. In February of 1953 he was made Commanding General of the 36th Division Artillery and promoted to Brigadier General. This position he held until his appointment as Adjutant General of Texas and promotion to Major General.

In 1948 General Taylor headed the Gilmer-Aikin 'Citizens Committee on Education.' In the opinion of most observers of the progress of educational reform in Texas, from the creation of the interim committee to study the problem through the final enactment of the Gilmer-Aiken bills, Senator Taylor more than any other person deserves credit for the success of the program. The purpose of such program being a good education for all kinds and classes of children. He was vice-chairman of the University of Texas 'Committee of 75' and a member of Texas A&M University 'Century Coucil.'

The Texas State Teachers Association honored him with a lifetime membership in that organization in 1949 for his contributions to public education. General Taylor resigned from the Senate in 1949 to assume the leadership of Texas Motor Transportation Association. He headed the truck and bus organization for eighteen years. From 1967 to 1990 he acted as a consultant to the industry and other state associations.

General Taylor is a past president and director of the Texas Society of Association Executives. In 1975 he was named TSAE's 'Outstanding Executive.' He is a 'Certified Association Executive' of the American Society of Association Executives and in 1967 received their Key Award for distinguished service. He is a life member of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism society. He is a past president of the 36th Division Association, an organization of veterans of the Texas National Guard who served in World War I and II. He was a Scottish Rite Mason KCCH and Shriner, past president of his Men's Downtown Bible Class of the First Baptist Church and past president of Austin Rotary Club.

General Taylor is survived by his wife of sixty eight years, Estelle Foster Taylor; daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Walter Wendlandt; grandsons, James, Cavitt and Bill Wendlandt; great grandchildren, Michael, Callie, Catherine and Shea Wendlandt.

Services, 10:00 am, Monday, October 16, 1995 at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home with Dr. Browning Ware officiating. Graveside services to follow at the Texas State Cemetery. Pallbearers, General Ross Ayers, Tommy and Bill Taylor, James, Cavitt and Bill Wendlandt."

Further information available through the Texas State Cemetery research department.