Carl Blaine Taylor, 70, was reunited with his Savior on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, after a sudden and rapid decline in health due to pulmonary fibrosis. He was surrounded by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Debra Kay; daughters, Jennifer Coggiola and her husband, Troy and Stephanie Jayakanthan and her husband, Samuel; grandchildren, Caroline Coggiola and Samuel Elijah Jayakanthan; honorary daughter, Vanessa Johnson and honorary grandchildren, Leianna and Casson Ballard; and cousins, Garland Hayes and Melody Stackhouse.
He was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas, to Margaret Lorraine Barrett Taylor and Louis Troy Hall, and raised by his mother and loving stepfather, Carl E. Taylor.
After graduating from Stuttgart High School in 1964, he enlisted in the Air Force and served as a technician during the Vietnam War. He married his beloved wife, Debra, at University Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Dec. 22, 1973. He earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1974, and went on to work for Motorola, Chrysler, and SCI, among others. He later transitioned to the field of computer software consulting.
He was a free spirit who loved motorcycles, playing tennis, duck hunting, and fly fishing, who was also rollerblading at the age of 55. He cared deeply about people, accepted them for who they were, and was always quick to lend a hand to help anyone who needed it.
A celebration of Carl’s life will be held Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 at 3 Circle Church in Fairhope. In honor of Carl’s free spirit and love of the unconventional, the family invites people to wear red for his two favorite teams, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Crimson Tide, or any other festive attire of their choosing. The visitation will begin at 1 p.m. and the service will follow at 2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Chris Bell. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in Carl’s honor to: The Hope Center, 10274 AL 104, Fairhope, AL, 36532 or The American Lung Association, www.lung.org.
Afterwards, there will be a repast and the location will be announced at the service. Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.hughesfh.com. Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home, 7951 American Way, Daphne, AL.
