L.B. Taylor, Jr. passed away and entered the gates of heaven on Nov. 29, 2022, at the age of 96. He was born Dec. 4, 1925, in Childress, Texas to L.B. Taylor, Sr. and Velma Kimbrough Taylor. Two siblings followed, Jo Evelyn Taylor and Max Earl Taylor. In addition to the influence of Christian parents, he and his brother were greatly influenced by their involvement during their teenage years in the Senior Scouting Program (Explorers), later to be known as the “Boneheads,” which was organized and directed by Edwin Cato. He instilled in the scouts the attitude to overcome all problems in life with self-determination and integrity.
The leadership of Mr. Cato included life lessons in survival training and marksmanship, which L.B. attributed to his survival later on in World War II. While on a scouting trip to Mesa Verde National Park, L.B. was introduced to geology that so intrigued him that it was to later become his career, which covered a span of 67 years.
L.B. graduated from Childress High School in 1943, and at the age of 18, volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 514th Field Artillery Battalion. Immediately after training with the 155 mm Long Tom Guns, the 514th was deployed to the European Theater as Corps Artillery, where they supported General Patton’s 3rd Army at the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne, Belgium and then, along the Siegfried Line wherever needed to support the 3rd Army infantry troops and tanks corps, as well as being assigned temporarily to General Patch’s 7th Army. L.B. also served as a medic in the army when stationed in Belgium. The 514th was stationed in several more areas until Germany surrendered. He was assigned to occupation duty near Augsburg briefly, and was then deployed on a ship to the Pacific hoping to help finish the war against the Japanese. It was on this particular mission, that the first atomic bomb was dropped, and L.B.’s ship was called home.
Upon returning to Texas, L.B. attended and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1949 with a B.S. degree in Petroleum Geology. He spent most of his career in Midland, Texas with independent oil companies and as an independent geologist. He was a member of AAPG, WTGS, SEPM and SIPES.
L.B. met and married Clarice Morris in 1951.They both taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church for many years. They were married 43 years, until her death in 1995. They enjoyed traveling and raising their three children, Tina, Terry and Timothy.
L.B. met and married Merle Burleson on June 8, 1996. Together, they served as Deacons and Elders at Trinity Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and they traveled extensively. They moved to Manor Park in 2015.
L.B. was the greeter at Parks Faudree Family Chapel for several years and enjoyed the Health and Wellness facilities, planned events and many friends there.
L.B. is preceded in death by his parents, L.B and Velma Taylor; his wife, Clarice Taylor; and his granddaughter, Emily Burleson Walker.
He is survived by his second wife, Merle Taylor; sister Jo Evelyn Carpenter, of Dayton, Texas; brother, Max Earl Taylor ( Joyce), of Texarkana, Texas; daughter Tina Taylor-Hoover, of Midland, Texas; son Terry Taylor, of McKinney, Texas; son Timothy Taylor, of Houston, Texas; step-son Brian Burleson (Mary), of McKinney; grandsons Jeffrey Hoover (Kimberlee), of Denver, Colo., and Cody Hoover (Andi), of San Antonio, Texas; granddaughter Ashley Burleson (Brinton), of Los Angeles Calif.; grandson Harrison Taylor (Hannah), of Kalamazoo, Mich.; great-grandchildren Harper and Chase Hoover, Tripp Taylor, Holland and Brody Walker and Beau Burleson; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held for L.B.at Parks Faudree Family Chapel at Manor Park later in the spring. A private military service will be held for the family at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.
