May 6, 1929 ~ March 6, 2012
Joe Donald Taylor, 82, loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, surrounded by his family at his home, after a lengthy illness. A native of Glasgow, he was the son of the late Kyle Jackson Taylor and Belle Turner Taylor. He was a graduate of Glasgow High School and the University of Kentucky—College of Pharmacy. He was a pharmacist, having been co-owner and operator of Taylor Prescription Service with his Father from 1959 to 1987.
Joe Donald was a Past President of the Kentucky Pharmaceutical Association and a past Vice President of the National Pharmaceutical Association. He re-wrote the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, and By-Laws of the Kentucky Pharmaceutical Association, the first revision in 75 years. It was under this revision that all pharmacists could be members and not store owners only. He served on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Medical Assistance and was instrumental in the adoption of the Generic Drug Bill for Kentucky.
In 1947, the University of Kentucky had its first freshman basketball team after WWII. Joe Donald was seen shooting hoops in the gymnasium by Adolph Rupp’s assistant coach Lancaster, who asked him to come out for the team. 256 men tried for 5 positions—Joe was one of those chosen, along with future UK Coach Joe B. Hall. Joe Donald volunteered for the army in 1952 and was a U. S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, during which time he served with Top Secret Clearance with the ASA of the National Security Administration.
A very civic minded individual, Joe Donald was involved in numerous activities. Joe was named Outstanding Glasgow Citizen in 1971 and Distinguished Kentuckian in 1974. He was a Past President of the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce and Jaycees, served on the Glasgow Lions Club Board of Directors and the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, and was a sponsor of the Foreign Student Exchange Program. He was a Past President of South Central Historical & Genealogy Society and past member of the Board of Directors of the Cultural Center. A tuba player, he was a charter member of the Glasgow Community Band. He loved camping and Early American Black Powder re-enactments. He had been a member of the Stump Bluff Militia since 1969. Joe Donald was a member, Sunday School Teacher, and Deacon Emeritus of the Glasgow Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Lane Nelson Taylor; four children, Joe Donald Taylor, Jr. and wife Sally of Glasgow, James Kyle Taylor and wife Becky of Scottsville, Martha Lane Crawford and Elizabeth Belle Taylor of Glasgow; six grandchildren, Jenna Lorraine and Jessica Belle Taylor of Kansas, Joe Paul Taylor with the U. S. Navy in Florida, Kyle Travis Taylor with the National Guard in Scottsville, Benjamin Taylor Crawford of Glasgow and Kathryn Lane Crawford of Georgia.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Larry Douglas Taylor, and by one uncle, Virgil M. Taylor.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Glasgow Baptist Church. Burial with military honors provided by Glasgow Chapter 20 DAV will be in the Glasgow Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 Wednesday and from 9 to 9 Thursday at the Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church. Alternate expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Glasgow Baptist Church or T. J. Samson Hospice.