James Murphy Taylor

View Funeral Webcast James Murphy Taylor, 92, retired Maury County Trustee, Santa Fe Postmaster, and former long-time resident of the Santa Fe Community, died Thursday, April 14, 2011 at the home of his daughter in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Sherri Ladd and Rev. Jim Gardner officiating. Burial will follow in Santa Fe Cemetery with military honors at graveside provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. Visitation with the family will begin Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home concluding with Masonic Rites at 7:00 p.m. The family suggests memorials to the Santa Fe Cemetery Association, c/o Norman Harris, 3929 Sowell Hollow Road, Columbia 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. Born in Toledo Ohio, he was the son of the late Clint A. Taylor and Murphy Finley Taylor. He attended the University of Chattanooga for two years and lettered as a member of the football team. At the outset of World War II, he went to Nashville to volunteer for the U. S. Navy Seabees. He failed an eye test and was turned down. On the advice of a yeoman, he bought a pair of dime store glasses, went to another recruiting office in Chattanooga, and volunteered again. He was inducted a week later and assigned to the Naval Construction Battalion as an electrician. Later in 1943, he was shipped to Newfoundland and based in this area of the North Atlantic known as "submarine alley." On August 4, 1945, while installing a mountain-top weather station near St. John's, Newfoundland, he was involved in an explosion, resulting in the loss of his left hand, left eye, and three fingers on his right hand. Among other service medals, he was awarded The Purple Heart. Upon his return home in August, 1946, he was appointed Assistant to the Maury County Service Officer and in early 1947, was named Service Officer. In April, 1948, he ran for the office of Maury County Trustee, was elected, and served six two-year terms. From 1960-1963, he worked for the Nashville Printing Corporation and served as Foreman of the Maury County Grand Jury. He was one of the last appointments made by President John F. Kennedy prior to his assassination when he assumed the position of Santa Fe Postmaster in October, 1963. He retired in April, 1989. Mr. Taylor was a long-time member of Santa Fe Cumberland Presbyterian Church; a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, member of Benton Masonic Lodge; Al Menah Shrine Temple in Nashville, and former member of the Columbia Kiwanis Club. He was a member and Past Commander of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19 and Disabled American Veterans. He married the former Audrey Erwin of Maury County on July 22, 1940, who survives. Also surviving is a daughter, Patricia (Mike) Richardson of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; brother, Charles (Grace) Taylor of West Linn, Oregon; half-sister, Juanita (George) Wickard of Newville, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Dr. Scott (Dr. Michelle) Richardson of Havanna, Florida, Britton Taylor (Stephanie) Richardson of Lewisville, Texas, Matthew Murphy (Angie) Richardson of Spring Hill, and Craig Bartley (Tara) Richardson of Del Ray Beach, Florida; great-grandchildren, Sydney Corrine Richardson, Mason Murphy Richardson, and Gavin Andrew Richardson, all of Spring Hill, Rylie Taylor Richardson and Jackson Kimball Richardson, both of Lewisville, Texas. He was preceded in death by a half-brother, Robert Taylor. Serving as active pallbearers are his grandsons, great-grandsons, Charles Pigg, and Dr. Daniel Pigg. Members of Santa Fe Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Williamsport Men's Fellowship will serve as honorary pallbearers.