Brian Taylor

Brian Taylor Brian Wayne Taylor, age 81, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, in Tyler, Texas. He was born on February 20, 1945, in Haynesville, Louisiana, to Malcolm Joseph Taylor and Elizabeth Inez Lattier Taylor. Brian was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend whose life was marked by faith, service, and love for his family.

On July 8, 1967, he married the love of his life, Sandra Jo Carpenter Taylor, and together they built a strong and loving family. Brian is preceded in death by his parents Malcolm and Elizabeth, in-laws Joe and Mary Lee Carpenter, brother -in law Charles Cook, sister-in-law June Taylor, and his son Joey Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; his daughters, Melanie Kilman and her husband Cliff of Arp, Texas, and Wendy McAdams and her husband Michael of Austin, Texas; and his daughter-in-law, Julie Taylor of Lindale, Texas. Brian is also survived by his brother Malcolm Taylor of Houston Texas as well as his niece Terisa Taylor and his nephew Cody Taylor and wife Brandie Taylor and his great nieces and their families; his sister-in-law Mildred Cook, nephew Terry Cook and wife Gloria and their children and grandchildren, niece Kim Krantz and husband Gary and their children and grandchildren. Brian was a proud grandfather to Mallory Kilman and AJ Jones of Hurst, Miranda and Josh Nichols of St. Augustine, Florida, Maddie and Jacob Birdsong of Arp, Carson and Conner Kilman of Arp, Copeland and Brooks Taylor of Lindale, Preston and Paula McAdams of Austin, Warren McAdams and Kirk Garza of Austin, and Sam Hunter of Olympia, Washington. He was also a cherished great-grandfather to Noah Hines and Aurora Jones of Hurst.

Brian dedicated his professional life to Marathon Oil, where he worked as a Purchaser and Materials Expeditor. Beyond his career, he was deeply committed to his community and his faith. He served as a deacon, choir member, and Sunday School teacher, touching many lives through his guidance, kindness, and steady example. He was known for his love of sports, his time as a coach and teacher, and his appreciation for the outdoors. Whether bird watching or enjoying nature, Brian found peace and joy in the world around him. He also had a strong interest in firearms and shooting sports, which he enjoyed responsibly as part of his hobbies. Above all, Brian will be remembered as a man of integrity, warmth, and quiet strength—a loving father, devoted husband, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, loyal uncle, and a faithful servant to others.

A memorial service for Brian will be held on Sunday, May 17, at Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. and the funeral service at 2:00 p.m.

Brian’s legacy lives on in the lives of those he loved and the many people he impacted through his faith, service, and unwavering dedication to family.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brian Taylor, please visit our floral store.