Jimmy Taylor

It is with deep, and heavy sadness that we announce the death of Jimmy C. Taylor who passed away on October 26,2017 in the Longleaf Unit at Christwood Retirement Community in Covington, Louisiana. Jim was born to Grace and Elgy Taylor on February 3, 1932 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.  After graduating from Gurdon High School in Gurdon, Arkansas, he received a BS in Business Administration from East Texas State University.  Jim served in the US Army as a First Lieutenant and was a fixed wing pilot from 1954-1958.After meeting on a blind date, Jim married Peggy Elaine Horne of Lanett, Alabama on June 1, 1958.  Jim and Peggy were married for 58 years when Peggy passed away on May 29, 2017, just before what would have been their 59 ^th wedding anniversary. In October of 1959, Jim was appointed Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service in the Atlanta Field office.  As an agent, he was proud to serve his country and his exceptional professionalism was a genuine credit to the protective mission of the Secret Service.  Jim was promoted several times which required relocations for him, Peggy, and their three daughters.  Jim transferred to the Vice Presidential Protective Division, Washington, D.C. in 1964.  He was promoted to Supervisor in 1967 and served as the Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge of the Vice Presidential Protective Division while in Washington D.C. .  Jim was then transferred to the Birmingham, Alabama Field Office as Assistant Special Agent in Charge.  In 1971 Jim was appointed Special Agent in Charge of the Mobile, Alabama Field Office. The family moved back to Washington, D.C. in 1973 where Jim became the Special Agent in Charge of the Vice Presidential Protective Division. During his two separate assignments in Washington, D.C. Jim worked with five Vice Presidents: Hubert Humphrey, Spiro Agnew, Gerald Ford, Nelson Rockefeller, and Walter Mondale.  These appointments included extensive travel both domestic and foreign along with responsibility for planning and supervising security.Wanting to return to their southern roots, Jim and Peggy chose to relocate the family to New Orleans, Louisiana where Jim was Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans, Louisiana Field Office.  There he would retire from the Secret Service in 1983.In 1984 Jim took on the job of Director of Security for the Louisiana World Exposition, the World’s Fair, in New Orleans, Louisiana and in 1988 he was the Director of Security for the Republican National Convention, also in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jim was awarded the United States Secret Service Valor Award on April 18, 2002 for extreme heroism during the assassination attempt on the life of Presidential candidate George Wallace on May 15, 1972.  His heroic actions in the face of life-threatening danger were in the highest tradition of law enforcement After having a fulfilling career, Jim dedicated his time to traveling and relaxing with Peggy, family, and friends.  There is no doubt of the great pleasure Jim enjoyed while spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. To his daughters, Dad will be remembered as a man of God, loving father, dedicated husband to Mom, provider, protector, handyman who could fix everything, and a very tall dignified gentleman who will be greatly missed and always in our hearts.Jim is survived by daughters, Kay Valenti (Jay of Wake Forest, North Carolina), Jan Nunmaker (Kevin of Covington, Louisiana), and Wendy Martinez (Rod of Denver, Colorado) As well as, his sister Mary Sparks (Jerry of Thomasville, Georgia), Sisters-in-law Hilda Hamner (John of Florence, Alabama) and Carolyn Colley Little of Sun City, Arizona.  He was endearingly called “Pawpaw” and will be greatly missed by his 16 grandchildren, Katie Bradrick (Philip), Megan Froemming (Joseph), Molly Jones (Charles), Joe Valenti (Melissa), Grace Valenti, Hannah Valenti, Carolina Valenti, Laynie Nunmaker, Taylor Nunmaker, Payton Nunmaker, Jake Nunmaker, Riley Martinez, Trent Martinez, Brice Martinez, John Martinez, and Jenna Martinez.  He will also by missed by his five great-grandchildren, John Mark, Asher, Claire, and Graham Bradrick and Eden Froemming.  A host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends are also left to cherish his memories  All are welcome to join us at the committal service that will be held at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 34888 Grantham College Road, Slidell, LA 70460 on Monday, November 6, 2017 at 10:00am.