Thomas Taylor

Thomas Ray “TR” Taylor died peacefully at Hillcrest Hospital on March 30, 2016 in Waco, Texas at the age of 84. Funeral services will be at 11 am, Monday, April 4 at Oakcrest Funeral Home, 4502 Bosque Blvd, Waco, Texas. Interment will follow at Waco Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 pm, Sunday, April 3, at Oakcrest.

TR is survived by Sue Taylor, his sister Irma Sharpless, and his children, Chris Colquitt, Sammy Hyden and husband Kirby, and Tracy Taylor Viladevall and husband Chuck. He is also survived by grandchildren Carley and Taylor Hyden, Izumi, Colby, and Wesley Colquitt, and Madison and Max Viladevall. He is preceded in death by his father Carl Ray Taylor, mother Thelma May Taylor Strange, grandson Samuel Colquitt, and nephews Mike and Larry Williams.

TR was born on September 4, 1931 in Waco, Texas. He graduated from Waco High in 1949 and soon enlisted in the US Army. While in the army he played baseball with Whitey Herzog for the Fort Leonard Wood army team that won a national championship in 1953. TR also spent several years playing professional baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for the Billings Mustangs.

TR earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor Universality in 1958 where he also played and coached baseball. When injury cut TR’s baseball career short, he began a long and successful career in the insurance business.

TR made a lasting impression on everyone he met with his charming smile and infectious laugh. He was a devoted family man who unselfishly put the needs of his loved ones before his own. He was a man of strong conviction and was forever willing to help others.

His greatest joys in life were his grandchildren, his beloved Baylor Bears, his time spent at Katy Park playing for the Waco Pirates, and the endless hours spinning yarns at Kirby’s Barbeque in Mexia, Texas.

A special thank you to the many friends and family of TR for their lifelong adoration and support.