J. D. Taylor

J.D. TAYLOR
April 22, 1929 – April 28, 1999

J.D. TAYLOR, 70, formerly of Payette, died April 28, 1999, at his home in Vancouver, Wash. Graveside services and the call to the post for J.D. Will be held in Payette, Idaho at Riverside Cemetery, Monday at 11 a.m. Under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette.

He was born April 22, 1929 in Miller, Mo., the son of Herbert P. and Thyra E. Taylor. The family moved to Payette in 1933.

He worked in the Thoroughbred racing industry, first becoming a jockey at age 16 and, after serving in the Korean War, he was the Lead Outrider for Longacres Race Track in Renton, Wash., for over 40 years.

He took joy from going to auctions and buying antiques and treasures, especially clocks.

His family includes one daughter, Kerrie Taylor of Vancouver, Wash., a brother and sister-in-law, Hubert and Dorothy Taylor of Spokane, Wash.; brothers, Roy Taylor of Spokane and Troy Taylor of Vancouver, B.C. Canada; sisters, Darline Dolan of Spokane and Mary Belvoir of Kent, Wash., and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Herbert J. Taylor. He was loved as a father, brother and friends.



J. D. Taylor

JOCKEY

J. D. started racing on a barrel tied between two trees at his parents' home in Payette, Idaho. He began riding real horses at the age of fourteen. After coming in second at the Ontario, Oregon Fair, on a horse his father had purchased for the family, they all caught the racehorse bug. It was said that no one could beat J.D. in a "Lap and Tap Start" and he soon became a popular rider at fairgrounds in Oregon and Idaho. By sixteen years old, J.D. was racing at recognized tracks and quickly became Leading Apprentice Jockey at Longacres Racetrack. When he finally became too heavy, J. D. stopped riding, but he was always ready with helpful advice for young riders.

VETERAN

J. D. was introduced into the army in Payette, Idaho in October of 1950, following in the footsteps of his two older brothers, Herbert and Hubert, who served their country in World War II. J.D. served in Korea with is brothers Roy and Troy. While fighting on the front line he formed a lifelong friendship with his buddy Keith Blankenship. Sergeant First Class J.D. Taylor was discharged in Fort Lewis, Washington in July of 1952.

TRAINER

In Korea, J.D., Roy and Troy started to put money aside to start thier own racing stable. In 1953, racing fans began to see three devils in the winner's circle and the Taylor Brothers Racing Stable was born. By 1965, their red and yellow silks had been seen at all the major racetracks around the country and they had been leading trainers at Hastings Park in Canada. Some people say it was the Taylor Brothers' Golden Touch, but it always helps when your brother Hubert is putting on the winning shoes and your mother's prayers are always with you.

LEAD OUTRIDER

For thirty-eight years J. D. led the horses past the grandstand to the starting gate at Longacres Racetrack. He was an icon at morning workouts, where his sense of humor and good nature were well known. He was never known to buy his own breakfast and runaway riders would often yell "cheeseburger" just to make sure he'd be there to pick them up. He enjoyed working at Longacres so much he didn't take a day off for thirty-three years and then it was only to attend his father's funeral. He made many lasting friendships and influenced countless lives.



Uncle J.D.
by Delite

As we all look back on times that have passed,
Some of the good times with J.
I'll try to remember to celebrate his life
That brought happiness and joy my way.

A man who was known as an uncle, a brother,
a father, a cousin, a friend.
A man who made us laugh, made us cry, made
us love him right up to the end.

I'd like to think that he's riding up there
in his red jacket looking so fine.
Leading God's souls to the big starting gate
that leads to life's finish line.

And children run up for a big healthy dose of
teasing, for which he was known.
The boys he calls "Susie", the girls he made
blush, with a kindness that trough him shone.

So I know when I hear that Post Parade blow,
I will see J.D. on his horse.
Riding along with family and friends
Along God's heavenly course.

Delite '99
J.D. Taylor's Niece

J. D.
by Keith Blankenship

In our world where women are ladies
And men are men
Neighbors stand by you
Until the world finds its end
Why would J.D. be the one to call a friend?
His accomplished past had a bit of wind
The smile was always on his face
Like he'd never lost a race
His chest and chin always pointed straight
Any other way was out of place
I think one thing that makes him shine
Perhaps leaving some lagging far behind
He always rode a classy horse
Watched by all as it went by, of course
All of this is monkey shine
That one smiles once and leaves it behind
His quiet greatness, he keeps deep inside
Where only friendship dare reside
For as we passed our war torn days
Without any comfort or honest praise
We knew life could be near it's end
One hour, a day or just around the bend
Our nerves were raw
All our barriers down
We saw each others souls
When they came around.
I saw J.D. much like his Payette home
It was full of love and dreams
No one ever felt alone
Everyone there knew the others plight
To insult one, meant you had the family to fight
So if you ever see a warrior
With a word of good cheer
The life of the party but drinking no beer
Look very carefully he lives a life with great style
Speak softly and about horses
If you want to stay for awhile.

Keith Blankenship
Served in Korean War with J.D.





Daily Racing Form
Sunday, May 2, 1999, Vol. CV No. 122 (SEA)
Page 2

OBITUARY

J.D. Taylor, veteran lead outrider, dead at 70

SEATTLE – J.D. Taylor, who served as lead outrider at Longacres for 40 years until the track closed in 1992, died April 30 at his home in Vancovuer, Wash., at 70.

Taylor, who was born in Mt. Vernon, Mo., was a successful jockey in his teenage years, then joined brothers Roy and Troy Taylor to operate Taylor Racing Stable before going to work for Longacres. In recent years, he served as a pony rider at Emerald Downs and he remained active until last winter, when he fell ill.

Graveside services will be held Monday, May 3, at 11 a.m. Mountain at Riverside Cemetery in Payette, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the American Cancer Society.

- Dennis Dodge



Emerald Downs Program (Auburn, King County, Washington)
Emerald Downs, Sunday, May 2, 1999
Race 4, Page 35

J. D. Taylor passed away in Vancouver, Wash., on Wednesday from pancreatic cancer. He was 70.

Taylor was born April 22, 1929. At 16 he started a brief career as a jockey. He also spent time training the Taylor Racing Stable with his brothers Roy and Troy.

He is best known as the lead outrider at Longacres for four decades. He also ponied horses at Emerald Downs in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.



The Reflector (Battle Ground, Clark County, Washington)
May 5, 1999

J.D. TAYLOR

J.D. Taylor died April 28, 1999, in Vancouver of cancer. He was 70.

Taylor was born April 22, 1929, in Mt. Vernon, MO, and was raised in Payette, ID. He became a jockey at age 16 and was lead outrider for Longacres Race Track in Renton for about 40 years.

A Vancouver resident, Taylor served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He enjoyed collecting antiques, especially clocks, and going to auctions. He was a gregarious person who was well-liked by everyone who knew him.

Survivors include daughter, Kerrie Taylor of Vancovuer; sisters, Darline Dolan of Spokane, and Mary Belvoir of Kent; and brothers, Hubert Taylor and Roy Taylor, both of Spokane, and Troy Taylor of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Herbert J. Taylor.

Burial took place in Riverside Cemetery, Payette, ID.

Layne's Funeral Home in Battle Ground is in charge of arrangements.



The Columbian (Vancouver, Clark County, Washington)
Friday, April 30, 1999
Page B4

J.D. TAYLOR
Vancouver

J. D. Taylor, who became a jockey at age 16, died in Vancouver on Wednesday, April 28, 1999, of cancer. He was 70.

He was a lead outrider at Longacres Race Track in Renton, Washington, for 36 years.

He was born April 22, 1929, in Mount Vernon, Mo., and lived in Clark County for 30 years.

Survivors include one daughter, Kerrie Taylor of Vancouver; two sisters, Darline Dolan of Spokane and Mary Belvoir of Kent, Wash.; and three brothers, Hubert and Roy, both of Spokane, and Troy of Vancovuer, B.C.

Mr. Taylor was an Army veteran of the Korean War.

He enjoyed collecting antiques, especially clocks, and attending auctions.

A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Riverside Cemetery in Payette, Idaho. Layne's Funeral Home in Battle Ground is in charge of arrangements.



The Sunday Oregonian (Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon)
May 2, 1999

J.D. Taylor

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 3, 1999, in Riverside Cemetery in Payette, Idaho, for J.D. Taylor, who died April 28 of cancer at age 70.

Mr. Taylor was born April 22, 1929, in Mount Vernon, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army. He lived in Vancouver, Wash., for 30 years. He was a lead outrider at Longacres racetrack in Seattle and later worked at Portland Meadows.

Survivors include his daughter, Kerrie of Vancouver; brothers, Hubert and Roy, both of Spokane, and Troy of Vancouver, British Columbia; and sisters, Darline Dolan of Spokane and Mary Belvoir of Kent, Wash.

The family suggests remembrances to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by Layne's Funeral Home in Battle Ground, Wash.



Independent Enterprise
Wednesday, May 05, 1999

J. D. Taylor, 70, formerly of Payette, died April 28, at his home in Vancouver, Washington. Graveside services were May 3 at Riverside Cemetery, Payette, under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette.