General Leon Taylor

General Leon Taylor of St. James, Missouri, passed away on March 30, 2017 at his home with his loving family gathered close around him. He was 75 years, 11 months and 11 days of age.
 
General Leon Taylor was born on April 19, 1941, in Moorehouse, Missouri to his parents, James E. and Lucy McNett Taylor. Leon was united in marriage to Nora Mary Bartle on March 29, 1959, in Peach Orchard, Arkansas.
 
 
Leon was a warm, down-to-earth, ‘people’ person loved by all for his kindness and sense of humor, never making an enemy. He loved baseball and was an avid St Louis Cardinals fan. Early in life, Leon was scouted to play professional baseball with the St Louis Cardinals farm team, but he chose to stay home with Mary and raise his four young girls. Over the years, he played community baseball, softball, and basketball, even coached girls’ softball once—“once and only once”, he often teased.  Leon worked many years driving a truck for Poe’s Gas Company and before that, Highland Dairy. 
 
 
General Leon Taylor is survived by his wife, Mary Bartle Taylor of St. James; children MaLesa "Mitsy" Daniels and husband, Bruce, of St. James; MaLinda Arl and husband, Jim, of Rolla; Melody Barker and husband, Kip, of St. James; and MaChelle Taylor of St. James. Brothers are James Taylor and wife Barbara, of Springfield, Missouri; Sammy Taylor and wife Martha, of Lakeland, Florida; sister, Elizabeth Taylor of St. James; and 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
 
 
Preceding General Leon Taylor in death is father, James E. Taylor and mother, Lucy McNett Taylor; granddaughter, Danielle Taylor; great granddaughter, Kyia Daniels; one brother, Tom Taylor and one sister, Mona Mumford.
 
Visitation for General Leon Taylor will be 6-8 PM Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri. 
 
Funeral services will be conducted 3 PM Sunday, April 2, 2017 at Flags Springs Church in St. James, Missouri with Gary Bartle, Joey Bartle, Allen Smith and Mark Johnson officiating. Hymns, "If That Isn't Love," "Amazing Grace," and "Beulah Land." Burial will be in the Flag Springs Cemetery. Pallbearers are Elijah Arl, Benjamin Arl, Christopher Daniels, Ross Taylor, Joshua Arl, and Jacob Arl. Honorary pallbearers are Chantelle Daniels, Becky Daniels, Jessica Smith, Maliki Smith, Ashley Wood, Missy Arl, Kaleb Arl, Analee Smith, Candace Arl, and Liam Arl. Honorary pallbearers not in attendance are Lilliana Wagner, Daci Wagner, and Ryli Wagner. 
The family requests attendees dress casually in their favorite St Louis Cardinals attire to the Cardinals-themed Memorial Service in honor of Leon’s favorite team and past time. 
 
Memorials may be made to Meramec Hospice.
 
All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.



 

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