James Taylor

James Ernest Taylor was born September 2, 1949, to Keith and Loretta (Wood) Taylor in Angola, IN. He attended Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne, IN, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps with his good friend Steven Steinbacher. He proudly served in Vietnam from September 1968 to October 1969. Steven did not return from Vietnam, and Jim mourned his friend for the remainder of his life.

On September 5, 1970, Jim married his Vietnam pen pal and childhood neighbor, Margaret “Peggy” Boneff. He then graduated from Indiana University Fort Wayne, the first in his family to do so. He went on to hold several IT roles, moving to Carmel, IN, and then retiring from National Government Services in 2010. In addition to his work, Jim found great fulfillment lending his time and talent to the McKenzie Career Center in Indianapolis.

Jim and Peggy had 2 daughters, Megan Winger and Melissa Taylor. The greatest joy of his life was his grandkids, Nathan, Calvin, Ace, Layten, Shaye, Ellie, Vivian and Knox, along with his step-grandkids, Anne, Tim, Josephine and Owen. He loved making them pancake breakfasts and introducing them to all of the “classic” movies.

His other love was music. An avid guitarist and songwriter, Jim performed with several local bands, including the Taylor-Smith Band and the Walter Mitty Band. One of his proudest achievements was the large song catalog he amassed over his songwriting career.

Jim is survived by his wife, daughters, son-in-law, Doug Carender, and sister, Nora (Lonnie) Price, as well as multiple nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Margaret Didrick, Ann Hamilton, and Susan Evans.

Jim was called home on August 20, 2026, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. As per his wishes, he will be celebrated in a private service with immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jim’s two favorite charities, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the Merciful Help Center at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church.