Johnson Taylor

Born to Jonathan Kirkbride (JK) Taylor and his wife Mary, on July 21, 1927, Johnson Mitchell (Jack) Taylor last celebrated his 95th birthday, quite an accomplishment. Jack was the last member of the family, predeceased by both parents and younger sister Nancy Eleanor (Polly) and brother William Griffin.

He was born in Philadelphia, PA and shortly afterwards the family moved from PA to NJ, Perry Ave in Palmyra. All his school age years were spent there until he graduated from Palmyra High School in 1945. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the age of 17, although he had to get his reluctant parents’ permission to enlist at that age but wasn’t called for duty until after graduation in May ’45. According to the story the family has heard many times, he was on a train on his way from basic training to an early posting when WWII officially ended in Sept, ‘45 so did not get sent overseas into combat. Using his G.I benefits, he attended Parks Aeronautical College in St Louis, MO. graduating with an Aviation Engineering Degree. When the US Air Force was created as a separate military branch in 1947, he made the transition from AAC to USAF.

He married a hometown girl, Clara Katrina Fleischer on June 1, 1951. He was soon sent to San Antonio, TX for basic training where daughter Rosemary was born in March 1953. Several postings later, Joan was born in June 1954 in Spokane, WA, and a few years later, Jonathan Kirkbride II in Harve de Grace, MD in March 1957.

Jack was actively flying for the US Air Force, testing many different radar systems and aircraft before leaving Active Duty in 1958 and moving his family to Wilmington, DE where he continued flying for the Delaware Air National Guard and worked for Atlantic Aviation completing Gulfstream I aircraft for corporate use. Youngest son James was born there in August 1962. After serving 27 years, Jack retired from ‘Guard Duty’ in 1971 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Moving to Stony Brook, Long Island NY with AirResearch Corp in 1969. and on to Oklahoma City with North American Rockwell Aviation in 1972, Jack kept climbing in his career until a final move to Kingwood/Houston TX in 1975 where he and Jim Bath formed Jim Bath and Associates, a corporate aircraft brokerage firm in 1976, which they successfully grew until Jack’s retirement in 1997. Son Jon continues the firm and the aircraft sales business. Rosemary’s son Zach and Jon’s son Trey continued the military tradition, Zach as a Missileer and Trey who is currently serving as a Major and Squadron leader, flying F-15Cs in Okinawa, Japan.

Jacks first wife, Clara died in May 2006 following a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. In July 2008 he remarried - another Riverton girl, Virginia Tees Durgin. Ginnie and her former husband George had been long-time friends of Jack and Clara, sharing military life experiences and the 2 couples had kept in touch over the decades. Ginnie predeceased Jack in May 2012.

Member of more than a few local civic and industry groups, Jack was proud to be a member of NBAA, International Order of Characters, Quiet Birdmen and others. He and Jon- and eventually grandson Trey- flew private aircraft out of Houston Intercontinental (IAH) and Cleveland (6R3). He was active in administering several Aviation scholarships at Embry Riddle University and University of Texas Dallas, where he oversaw the George Haddaway Foundation. He was quite a book collector and donated the bulk of his collection to Louisiana Tech University Aviation History collection.

An early Kingwood homeowner, he has been a resident nearly 50 years, the last 2 at Atria Assisted Living where he has many friends among both residents and staff.

Jack was a life-long Episcopalian, from an Altar boy in Palmyra through continuing attendance and numerous positions at Good Shepherd in Kingwood. He will be cremated and interred in the columbarium there along with his first wife Clara.

Jack is survived by all of his children,

Rosemary, Joan, Jonathan K II (Jon) and James, and their respective spouses, and by 7 grandchildren: Zach & Tyler Sartin; Erik, Amber & Nina Christoffel; and (JKT III) Trey & Jordan Taylor, and a growing number of great-grands: Cecilia, Koda, Clara, Ethan, David, Elliot, Avery, Joseph and Quinn.

In leu of flowers, please make a donation in his honor on the Alzheimer’s Association Website, www.act.alz.org

His Celebration of Life service will be at the Kingwood Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on December 16th, at 1pm 2022.