Henry James Taylor

Tabor City, NC

Henry James Taylor, age 83, of Tabor City, NC, died Tuesday, August 27, 2024 in the McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, SC.  Born January 11, 1941 in Columbus County, NC, he was the son of the late Harley James Taylor and Helen Singletary Taylor.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Long Taylor, and one sister, Sue Taylor Lay.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1963 where he served as a F104 Starfighter aircraft mechanic during the Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Berlin Wall Crisis, Kennedy Assassination, and Vietnam.

Papa Henry was a hard worker with 50 plus years in HVAC, very opinionated and an avid collector of guns and knives.

He is survived by one son, Cameron Shayne Taylor and his wife April Edwards Taylor of Garner, NC, two grandchildren, Kamryn Shaye Taylor and James Thomas Taylor; and two sisters, Ruby Taylor Shelley and Peggy Taylor Smith.

Papa Henry was very proud of his son’s family and grandchildren and was very blessed to have Linda Jacobs as a very loyal and faithful friend.  Also known as the “Candy Man”, Papa Henry, loved to hand out candy.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the New Life Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service in the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Online Donations - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) and the Gideons, Gideons International | Donate.

A service of Inman Ward Funeral Home & Crematory.

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