Gerald Cothran Taylor

Gerald Cothran Taylor - Born January 21, 1934, eldest son of Algie Clegg and Verina Cothran Taylor who preceded him in death, peacefully died on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Amelia Settlemyre Taylor of the home; a daughter, Donna Taylor Windham (Roland) of Camden, South Carolina; and a son, The Reverend Clegg Frank Taylor (Cindie) of Spartanburg, South Carolina. He is also survived by his five grandchildren that he adored, Roland Herbert Windham III (Tripp), Amelia Taylor Windham, Logan Haynes Windham, Carsen Diane Taylor and Caylee Nicole Taylor.

Born in Belton, South Carolina, his family moved to Forest City, North Carolina when he was a boy. He graduated from Cool Springs High School and attended Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina where he majored in music with a concentration in Band and Concert Orchestra. He also played trumpet in the University Marching Band and Concert Orchestra. 
He later joined the United States Air Force, stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi and served as a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps. As a member, he traveled all over the country preforming in parades and special military events. Even in his later years he played trumpet as part of the Morningside Baptist Church Worship Orchestra.

After coming to Spartanburg he was employed by Duke Energy for 35 years starting as a draftsman in the engineering department, and later as the Spartanburg area supervisor and superintendent in the Transmission and Operation Department, he ended his career in Greenville in Total Quality Management. 

Gerald was known as a quiet gentle man with a heart of gold which was evident in his love for God and his church, Morningside Baptist Church. As a member, he sang in the choir and played his trumpet in the church orchestra. He was lovingly known as the “Bugle Boy”.

His love for community was demonstrated daily while serving as a volunteer for Spartanburg Regional Hospice, Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, Upstate Children’s Shelter, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Christmas in Action projects, and The Red Cross disaster relief projects. He served for years as the president of the Spartanburg Chapter of the Duke Energy Retirees Club and chairman of the Chapter Volunteers. He was also a life member of Masons Lodge No. 360 A.F.M. During his life as a volunteer, he was awarded many honors of service and distinction for his service to the community.

The family will receive friends 11:00-11:45 AM Monday, July 2, 2018 at Morningside Baptist Church, 897 S. Pine St., Spartanburg, SC 29302 with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 12:00 noon, conducted by The Rev. Dr. Keith Taylor and The Rev. Skip Snyder. Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303; or Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

The family expresses special thanks to caregivers, Kristen Videtto and the staff with Helping Hands, to Alysha and the staff at Windsor House, as well as the Spartanburg Regional Hospice staff, including his nurse, Maurice Hood. 

The J.F. Floyd Mortuary, Church Street Chapel in Spartanburg is in charge of arrangements and The Padgett and King Mortuary in charge of local arrangements.  This obituary is posted as a courtesy to the family of Mr. Taylor.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.