James David Taylor, Sr.

James David Taylor, Sr., 79, of Pampa passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021, in Pampa.

Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 16, 2021, in the Memory Gardens Mausoleum with Scott Futrell, minister of Kentucky Avenue Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

David was born in Ada, Oklahoma on November 20, 1941, to Collins and Willie Taylor. He was raised in Allen, Oklahoma and graduated high school in Duncan, Oklahoma in 1961. After high school, David attended a trade school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to learn about auto mechanics. There he met the love of his life, Ethel Bland. The two were married on September 3, 1965, in Pampa. They made their home in Pampa where they were blessed with two children, Meleda and James Taylor, Jr.

In 1961, David made the choice to serve in the Armed Forces. He enlisted in the Navy and spent a short time there. He later joined the Army National Guard in 1975, serving up until 1997 when he was honorably discharged, ranked as Staff Sergeant E6. After the military, he held a few jobs in Pampa, such as maintenance with the highway department, and most recently as street maintenance with the City of Pampa.

David loved to spend time with his friends and family. During the daytime, he was always with his buddy “Wink” until his passing in 2017. They would spend many mornings sitting together drinking coffee and watching The Price Is Right or old Westerns on TV. David, lovingly called “Pa” by his grandkids, would often pick his grandsons up from school in the afternoon, give them some spending money, and take them to the store. He loved his grandkids very much and was so proud of them. David was a member of the Kentucky Avenue Church of Christ.

David is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ethel; daughter, Meleda Chavez; granddaughter, Patience Chavez; sister, Virginia Taylor-Kay and an infant sister; mother-in-law, Addie Adkins; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Martin and Judy Mayne.

He is survived by his son, James Taylor, Jr. of Pampa; three granddaughters, Destiny Chavez and Tianka Chavez, both of Dumas, and Madelynne McCoy-Taylor of Pampa; two grandsons, Mason Taylor and Logan Taylor, both of Pampa; great-granddaughter, Melody Chavez of Dumas; sisters-in-law, Jo Hellen Grimes and husband Jeff, Jackie Thompson and husband Rick, and Carolyon West and husband Leslie; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to COPD Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Miami, Florida 33134.

Please sign the online register at www.carmichael-whatley.com