Lloyd Hughes Taylor, Jr.

Lloyd Hughes Taylor, Jr. October 14, 1922 August 30, 2008 Lloyd Hughes Taylor, Jr., 85, of Waco passed away Saturday, August 30, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Tom Robbins at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 3, 2008, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Boulevard in Waco. Burial will follow at Lorena Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, at the funeral home. Lloyd Jr. was born October 14, l922, in Wilmar, Arkansas. He was the older son of Lloyd Hughes Taylor, Sr. and Myrtie Ruth Wooldridge Taylor. His early years were spent in Arkansas and East Texas. With the outbreak of World War II he joined the Navy and served as a gunnery instructor. Honorably discharged at the end of the conflict, Lloyd Jr. came to Waco in l946, graduating from Baylor University in 1950 with a BBA degree in business and an M.A. in management. He began his career in Chamber of Commerce work in Texas, first in Gladewater and then in Beaumont. In 1954 he began teaching in the Business School at Lamar College, where he was also Assistant Dean of Men. He later graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Ph.D. in Marketing and Economics. Continuing his career in academia, he taught at Texas A&M, Baylor, Lamar University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Texas Tech, Houston Baptist University, and Sam Houston University. In 1966 he put his academic career on hold while working in Washington, D.C., first as Research Director for the F.D.I.C. and then as Executive Assistant to the Postmaster General. He then worked for Occidental Petroleum Company in California before returning to Texas to begin a long career in banking. He was instrumental in founding Central National Bank in Waco. Later he opened banks in Huntsville, Lufkin, and Marshall, serving as President and CEO of each. In 2003 he retired and moved back to Waco. Lloyd Jr. married his high-school sweetheart, Mildred Gee, on September 19, 1943. They met when he saw her playing tennis and decided then and there that she was the girl for him. Their love flourished throughout sixty-five years of marriage. Truly they were partners in every sense. He was the "big picture" person while she kept her eye on the details. Although Lloyd's main focus in life was family, he had many interests. Lady Bear Basketball, fishing, Big Band music, and World War II history were some of his favorites. Lloyd Jr. loved the challenge of a new venture. His experience in business and government gave him a unique perspective to share when mentoring his students and young business colleagues. He always saw the good in people, and you could not find a kinder or more ethical man. He was a loving husband, doting parent, and delighted grandparent. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Hughes Taylor, Sr. and Myrtie Wooldridge Taylor; brothers-in-law, D. W. Gee, Benjamin "Buck" Taylor; and sister-in-law, Dera Gee. He is survived by his wife, Mildred G. Taylor of Waco; daughter, Cris Taylor Baldridge and husband, Bob of Waco; grandchildren, Robyn Baldridge and Ryan Baldridge of Waco; brother, Ray Taylor of Lorena; sister-in-law, Doretha Taylor of White Oak; nephews, Ross Taylor of Kansas City, Kansas, Doug Taylor and wife, Bettie of Longview, Ben Taylor and wife, Susan of Midland, Stuart Gee and wife, Stephanie of Irving; nieces Gayle Purks and husband, Louis of Fredrick, Maryland, Rebecca Gee of New York City, Jennifer Smith and husband, David of Houston, Ruth Tilghman and husband, Bill of Bruceville, Beth Musgrave and husband, Pat of Lorena; and many dear cousins. His family is particularly grateful for the kind and gentle assistance provided by Lloyd's caregivers: Liz Bentura, Cecilia Massman, Maria Castro, Frances Arthur, and Myra Zarrago. Memorials may be made to Baylor University or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.