Menu
James Taylor
WOODLAND, Calif. — Major General James Walter (Jim) Taylor, USAF retired, of Woodland, California passed away May 1, 2022, at home with his wife Ann by his side. In accordance with his wishes, his funeral will be at 11 a.m. June 4, 2022, at the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Woodland. Burial will follow at a later date at Bear Creek Cemetery, Bertram, Texas, with full military honors.
Jim was born in the Joppa Community of Burnet County, Texas, on Dec. 18, 1931. He was the fifth generation of a Texas Pioneer Family. He grew up on the family ranch with interests in cattle, sheep, goats and farming learning early the value of hard work. He attended his early years of school in a two-room country school where his teacher declared him “the smartest kid she ever taught”. After catching a calf in the calf scramble at the Houston Fat Stock Show, Jim was awarded a scholarship to Texas A&M. Upon graduating in 1952, Jim was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force.
In 1954, while attending Advanced Navigation School at Mather AFB , Jim met Ann Potter of Sacramento and they married Aug. 7, 1954. Soon, they were off to Texas. He was assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing 2nd Air Force at Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas, as a Nuclear Radar Bombardier and Navigator.
As a B-36 Nav Bomb Crew member, he saw service in Morocco, North Africa, England, Spain, and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. General Taylor is a master navigator with over 3,000 hours flying time, who served as both a flight instructor and evaluator.
General Taylor served on the Policy Committee to the Secretary of the Air Force and was assigned to the Reserve Policy Board to the Secretary of Defense of the United States Air Force. His military decorations include the Military Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, National Defense Medal, and Air Force Longevity Award.
After active duty, Jim and Ann moved to Sacramento where he joined the firm of Potter-Taylor and began a new career in real estate development while maintaining his ascent up the ranks in the Air Force Reserves. Later, both Tim and Lux joined Potter-Taylor and together the three of them grew it into a large multi-faceted commercial real estate firm.
As an active member of the community, Jim served as President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1976. He was a member of Downtown Rotary for over 50 years and later a member of the Woodland Rotary. He maintained memberships in the Sutter Club, The Family Club, Yolo Fliers Club and the California Indians (a trap and skeet club). He was an active member of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
Jim spent his later years in Yolo County near Woodland, California. Jim and Ann built their home on their farm overlooking the grapes and olives and their beautiful Woodland Stallion Station. He and Ann were a team to be reckoned with at the dominoes table. He enjoyed travel, golf, flying his plane, hunting and fishing. Most of all, he enjoyed friends and family. We all have had the pleasure of an encouraging call, a piece of advice, and knowing he took great interest in our lives.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents Ellis and Susie Taylor and brothers Pooch and Bill, all of Texas.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ann Taylor; sons, Tim and Lux and his wife Robin Taylor; grandchildren, Jesse, Patrick, Katherine, Eliot, Allyson, Erin and Derek; stepgrandchildren, Phoebe and Zoey; great-grandchildren, Bennett and Eloise; and favorite niece, Janet Taylor Rose of Bertram, Texas.
Condolences can be made online at: a.taylorwintergreen17@gmail.com.
Memorials can be sent to American Kidney Association, or charity of your choice.