Ralph D. Taylor

Mr. Ralph D. Taylor, former Mayor of Jamestown, Fentress County Clerk & Master, and community leader for many years, passed away Monday, September 22, 2014 at Signature HealthCare in Jamestown.

Mr. Taylor, age 90, was born March 19, 1924 in the Little Crab Community of Fentress County, the son of James Walter and Clara Jane Taylor.

He was educated in the public school system of Fentress County, and was a star basketball player at York Institute.

Mr. Taylor was a Veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy, a member of Jamestown Lodge # 281, F&AM, Alhambra Shriners, Chattanooga, TN, and a member of the Jamestown First United Methodist Church.

He also worked as a machinist, owned and operated the Mark Twain Restaurant for 10 years, and spent many years as a cattle farmer who loved black Angus cattle.

From 1960 through the late 1990’s, he contributed to his community by serving as a City Alderman, Mayor of Jamestown, Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court and as a County Commissioner.

Ralph worked adamantly in establishing the Jamestown Airport and was the first person to obtain his pilot’s license after its opening.

He hobbies were hunting, fishing, and hard work.

He was so proud of Fentress County and thought this to be the best place to live and so wanted the county to grow and prosper.

He was blessed with a family of many, many friends.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary (Wright) Taylor of Jamestown; one son, Kent D. Taylor and wife Cathy of Nashville; two daughters, Karen T. Potter, and Kathryn R. Taylor, both of Jamestown; grandchildren, Aren J. Qualls, Stephanie R. Potter and Graham Taylor; great-grandchildren, Lilly Marie Hull and soon to be Ella Renee Ferguson; brothers Pete Taylor and Melvin Taylor; and sisters Patricia Bertram and Jimmie Webb.

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