Leon M. Taylor

Leon Milton Taylor, a resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at the age of 92. Born July 12, 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Leon was the only child of Junious Malcom and Hazel G. Taylor. Leon began his lifelong habit of early rising when he started throwing his Tulsa World paper route as a young boy; throwing papers for many years. After graduating from Will Rogers High School at the age of 16, Leon began working in September 1942 as a Machinist for Jack Anthony Machine Works. Leon enlisted at the age of 18 and served until the end of World War II as a Technician Fifth Grade in the European Campaign. Serving in Company F, 393rd Engineer Special Service Regiment in France, Leon earned the World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American and EAME Theatre Ribbons and One Bronze Service Star. After his tour of duty in Europe, Leon returned to Jack Anthony Machine Works where he worked as a Machinist and Shop Foreman, consulting with other local shops after his retirement in 1999. Leon met the love of his life, Alice Mae Griffith in the summer of 1950 as she walked past the machine shop on her way to her job as a nursing aide at Hillcrest. Married July 9, 1952, they raised their three children-- Gary Malcolm, Kenneth Lee and Donna Sue-- in East Tulsa. Leon coached Gary and Kenny's baseball teams for 8 years and Donna's basketball and softball teams for 7 years. Spending 15 years coaching his children and their friends, he led Donna's softball team to All City Champions all 7 years. Leon loved his family, his cars and sports and combined those as often as he could. Gary and Kenny worked with him as he rebuilt cars in his garage (those classics they wish they had kept), went with him to local races and other sporting events while Donna was his sidekick everywhere they went. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Junious and Hazel (Gimlin) Taylor and his beloved wife, Alice Mae (Griffith) Taylor. He is survived by son Gary Taylor and wife Irene of Tulsa, Oklahoma; son Kenny Taylor and wife Joy of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter Donna Smith and husband Ralph of Houston, Texas, by granddaughter Angie Bockius of Claremore, Oklahoma; grandson Zachary Taylor and wife Diane of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandson Brian Taylor and wife Jessica of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; granddaughter Jessica Taylor of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandson Jason Taylor and wife Laura of Richmond Hill, Georgia; grandson Jake Taylor and wife Kelsey of Verdigris, Oklahoma; grandson Benny Taylor of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandson Daniel Taylor of Tulsa, Oklahoma; granddaughter Gracie Taylor of Tulsa, Oklahoma; granddaughter Lauren Wooten of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and by 7 great grandchildren. Viewing for Leon will be held from 6pm to 8pm at Moore Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma on Thursday, July 20, 2017. Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, July 21, 2017, at Moore Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Leon M. Taylor

July 12, 1925 - July 18, 2017