Larry G. Taylor was born in Mangrum, Arkansas, the son of Cecil Taylor and Estelle Couch Taylor on June 11, 1934 and departed this life on April 2, 2020 at his home in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, at the age of 85 years.
He was united in marriage to Clara Ellen Vaughn on August 6, 1955 in Hernando, Mississippi.
Larry is survived by his wife, Clara Taylor; his daughter, Tasabah Taylor Malone and husband, John; one grandson, John Taylor Malone; other relatives; and countless friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Estelle Taylor.
Larry was a Christian.
Larry graduated from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro with a degree in Chemistry and Biology. After teaching for a few years in Arkansas, he moved to Arizona to teach on the Navajo reservation. After teaching for some time, he opened a gas station on the reservation with help from one of the Navajos. With the success of the station, he opened other businesses on the reservation.
In 1968 Larry moved back home to Arkansas to raise a family. After moving back to Arkansas, he was involved in many businesses, most recently a campground.
He enjoyed attending auctions, fishing, running his campground, and especially spending time with his family. He was a good and humble man who touched many lives.
He will truly be missed by his family and all that knew him.
Graveside services for Larry G. Taylor will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Sturgeon Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with Brother Charles Morgan officiating.
Burial will be in Sturgeon Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you give something to someone who needs it. If doesn’t matter if it is your favorite charity, the homeless man on the corner, food to the mission or just something very nice for someone. It doesn’t have to cost anything. The family would love to hear what everyone did.
John Taylor Malone wrote this:
Dear Papa,
Boy you sure slipped away from us didn’t you? You were always so healthy, so strong, and so sharp that I thought we had at least another 20 years to laugh, hug, fish, and piddle around with your stuff. But now we won’t have the opportunity to do any of that. At least in this life. I feel robbed of the future with one of my best friends in the whole wide world. Your living room is where I learned to walk. Your lap is where I learned to drive. Your couch is where I learned to read. Your land is where I learned to hunt. Your creek is where I learned to fish. More importantly than that is what I learned from your heart. You taught me patience. You taught me to treat everyone like family. You taught me to “go with the flow.” You taught me that nothing is more important than family. You taught me the importance of home. You taught me it’s okay to cry. You taught me that not everything is so serious. You taught me to ALWAYS put others before yourself (in fact if you ever heard me say I thought a jacket or shirt you had on was cool, you’d literally take the shirt off your back and give it to me). Now you’re teaching me how to handle the loss of my best friend. This winter I felt called to spend some time with you. I woke up at 6:00 am and hopped in your truck. We spent the ENTIRE day together. That day you showed me off to literally ALL your friends and taught me about life, love, and your childhood. You were a man who spent your life traveling, but that day you kept reminding me how special home is. That’s the last day we spent together. I wish you could take your own advice and stay home with us. But I know you can’t. You can’t take me fishing. You can’t buck me off your back like a bull. You can’t dance in the living room. You can’t make me laugh with your excellently timed jokes. You can’t take me on trips to Arizona. You can’t tuck me into bed. You can’t hold me when I’m scared. And boy am I scared. This house feels empty without you. Im not sure what we will do, but we will be strong. For you. Thank you for making me a better man.
I love you, a bushel and a peck, and a hugggggg around the neck.
Sleep tight papa. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.
John Taylor Malone
April 5, 2020 @ 8:27 pm
Prayers for comfort for his family. Larry was a great man and I learned a lot over the years from him. He made quite an impression in my life.
April 5, 2020 @ 10:26 pm
Prayers for Peace and Comfort with theloss of such a fine man
April 7, 2020 @ 11:04 am
Denny and I enjoyed every visit we had with Larry. We admired his strength and character. His honesty and independence were obvious in all he did and said. We will miss him.
April 6, 2020 @ 7:08 am
Sending heartfelt prayers for peace and comfort… Larry touched so many lives and the whole community is mourning his loss. My daddy thought the world of Larry and considered him a great friend, as did James & I. He always had a kind word to go with that wonderful smile. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you all. Hoping all the happy memories you have will be enough to get you through these hard times. Much love…
April 6, 2020 @ 10:49 pm
I’m going to miss my friend Larry. I always enjoyed visiting with him at our local restaurant and our coffee table gang..He was always smiling.
We had discussions about old cars and historical items of which he had a vast knowledge. He loved his family and was proud of his daughter
and grandson. We pray for your family at this sad occasion.
April 7, 2020 @ 11:15 am
Denny and I enjoyed every visit we had with Larry. We admired his strength and character. His honesty and independence were obvious in all he did and said. We will miss him.
April 7, 2020 @ 11:58 am
Charlie & I are sad to hear of Larry’s passing. We enjoyed visiting with him on many occasions and are thankful he was willing to sell us such a nice place to live in town. Our sympathy to Larry’s family, neighbors and many friends.
April 7, 2020 @ 12:01 pm
Larry was a great man and a really good friend Larry was the best neighbor a person could ask for
April 7, 2020 @ 10:22 pm
Clara, “Taylor” as we all knew him in the auction circle will be terribly missed by all. He never failed to give me something to put a smile on my face, a kind word or a little teasing…he was a special man. We loved him. Tim and Charm Eagleman
April 8, 2020 @ 10:48 am
He was the very first person we met when we moved here. He came by and introduced himself when he saw us unloading the U-Haul. He told us if we ever needed anything that he and his wife were “the owners of the junkyard just down the road” then left us both laughing. He stopped by the other day and we talked awhile. He always made sure he had a laugh for me before he left. We’re gonna miss you Larry.
April 8, 2020 @ 1:38 pm
Larry will truly be missed. One could not miss saying hello and his welcoming smile. He was one of the first persons I met when I moved to the area many years ago. Over the years our friendship grew. My wife used to baby sit Tasabah and would recall many warm moments with the Taylor’s. He was a remarkable man. Both a family man and a neighbor. Larry, you will truly be missed.
April 9, 2020 @ 1:16 pm
Truely sad to hear of Larry’s passing. Always friendly; enjoyed pass good times, hunting with him in Arizona back in the day.
Prayers for the
April 9, 2020 @ 7:49 pm
Rest in peace my friend. Don’t catch all the fish there in heaven, as I will someday join you and you can show me the good fishing holes! May your bait bucket always be full and you line never break. You will be missed my friend.
April 11, 2020 @ 7:23 pm
Larry Taylor was a good friend. I will forever miss sitting on his porch and hearing one of his many stories from his adventurous life. He always had a kind word to say and an offer of coffee on our visits. Saddler Falls Campground and my favorite fishing spot will never be the same for me. Until we meet again my friend save me a seat on that heavenly porch so we can sit a spell and take in the beautiful view.
April 13, 2020 @ 8:20 am
Clara, Tasabah, and family –
So sorry to hear about Larry’s passing. I was so thankful to see him last spring when he came to my dad’s memorial. Dad spoke of him often. Wish you all peace and comfort during this difficult time.
April 21, 2020 @ 8:24 am
So very sorry for your loss to all the family. We thoroughly enjoyed Larry coming to our auctions and he will be missed!