Eary Paul Taylor, 90, formerly of Hope, and recently a resident of Parkside Court in Columbus, died at 2:45 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2012 at Silver Oaks Health Campus.

Paul was born July 28, 1921 in Adair County, Ky., the son of Edward Burtrom and Leo Bell Roach Taylor. On June 27, 1942, he married Carrie Merle Burris before departing to serve in WWII in the Medical Core. He saw heavy military action in many historical battles across Europe before returning to what was to become a family of five children with his wife Carrie, wife and mother for 61 years. She preceded him in death on November 12, 2003.

He is survived by all five children, Paul Russell (Gloria) Taylor of Columbus, Donnie Ray (Kristina) Taylor of Brown County, Lois (Jay) Johnson of Columbus, Joyce (Ken) Gillaspy of Crothersville, and Steven Wade Taylor of Columbus. Other family members include, 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren due in September; and siblings, Margie Madison, Velna Altman and Delsie Rogers, all of Louisville, Jay B. Taylor of Chicago and Ella Dee Rush of Edmonton, Ky., and seven half-brothers and half-sisters.

Paul worked at Cosco, now Dorel, from 1952 until his retirement in 1984. Early retirement from factory work allowed him to pursue his passion form ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ for almost 30 years. Many churches in Indiana and Kentucky welcomed Paul to preach sermons, conduct weddings and facilitate funerals during his pastoral years. He was a member of Lowell General Baptist Church and Hope American Legion at the time of his death.

In Paul's leisure time, he enjoyed fishing and growing a large vegetable garden each summer until moving to Columbus after the death of his wife. He will be remembered by friends and family for his story telling of hard times during the depression and how, as a young boy of 10 and the oldest of seven, he was responsible for helping his dad provide for his sisters and brother following the early death of their mother. He is remembered by his sons and daughters and their children for his laugh and knee slapping when telling funny stories about people he grew up around. He will also be remembered for his concern for the salvation of every soul he was blessed to come in contact with.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a sister, Nancy Dotson of Chicago.

Funeral arrangements for Paul and Carrie Taylor were made with their close friend, John Norman of Norman Funeral Home in Hope.

Paul's funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Norman Funeral Home with Pastor Glenn Poynter officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 2 p.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial with graveside rites will be at Hawcreek Baptist Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility or Lowell General Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made to the Taylor family at www.normanfuneralhome.net.