Gerald R. “Red” Taylor, 75, of Fort Payne, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024 at his home. He was born February 13, 1949 in Etowah County, Alabama, to the late Fred Taylor and Mamie Lybrand Taylor. He was a graduate of Geraldine High School. A lifetime public servant, he retired from law enforcement, serving both the Alabama State Troopers and then later with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, as well as retired from the National Guard. Red was a member of Minvale Baptist Church and a dual member of both Fort Payne Masonic Lodge #437 and Lebanon Masonic Lodge #116. He served three terms as a Fort Payne City Councilman and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. John Keefe and Rev. Steve Lea officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years Marilyn Puckett Taylor; children Derek Taylor (Dana), Jeremy Taylor (Amanda), and Andrea Taylor Woodall; grandchildren Autumn, Brinlee, Cayden, Emerson, Bryson, Ava, and Tristan; brother Kenneth Taylor; brother-in-law Kenneth Wright; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters-in-law Norma Taylor and Ruth Wright.
Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Payne is in charge of arrangements.
