Mr. Dan Keith Taylor, 87, went home to the Lord peacefully Friday morning, May 8, 2020 surrounded by family, at the Anna Mae Owens Residential Hospice House in Murray, Kentucky.
Dan Keith, as he was known to his family and friends in Hazel, was born on August 3, 1932. He was a graduate of Hazel High School, where he was a renowned basketball player. His lifelong love for the Hazel and Midway communities, instilled in him by his parents, the late John Tom and Della Taylor, led to his founding of the Hazel Alumni Scholarship fund at Murray State University, which scholarships two Hazel-area students each year. As a young adult, he attended Freed-Hardeman College before joining the Army, continuing his basketball career playing for the Army while stationed in Hawaii.
After his service to his country, he joined his father John Tom and brother Tommye D in the automobile business in Murray. Then at the age of 24, Dan Keith became the youngest businessman in the country to be granted his own dealership by Chevrolet in Fulton, Kentucky. He ran a successful business there for over 30 years, while owning and selling GM dealerships in Sikeston, Missouri and Galveston, Texas, as well as the Chevrolet/Olds/Cadillac dealership in Paris, Tennessee. Over the years he also co-owned dealerships and other business ventures with his younger brother Dwain, including the 1969 purchase of the Chevrolet dealership in Murray, Kentucky.
In these years, Dan was a strong and devoted community volunteer, at church and in other outreach and political organizations. In Fulton he worked with the Jaycees, the Banana Festival, and various political elections, including the election of his good friend Wendell Ford in his race for Governor of our Commonwealth. Dan always loved the Racers, and found himself at most every football and basketball game for years.
In his “retirement”, he became Dan the Van Man, buying and selling school vans throughout the nation for several years. He also directed the building of the Family Life Center and Gym at his beloved wife’s home church, Farmington Church of Christ. This center is still a wonderful gathering place for families throughout the Farmington community that made Dan their own.
Dan Keith is survived by his wife, Beverly Galloway Taylor; his sons Mark W. Van Doren and wife Margie of Knoxville, Tennessee; Thomas Russ Taylor and wife Kim of Metropolis, Illinois; Randall Keith Taylor and wife Lee Ann, Murray, Kentucky and daughter Terri Van Doren, Seaside, Florida; sister-in-law Anne Faye Taylor of Murray, and his younger brother Dwain Taylor and wife Mary, also of Murray. Barry Newsome and the late Teddy Newsome were also like sons to Dan. Dan was preceded in death by his parents John Tom and Della Taylor, and his elder brother Tommye D Taylor.
Dan was known as PawPaw to his grandchildren, as well as to his wife’s great-nieces and great-nephews. Granddaughters are Rachel Taylor and husband Mack of Brentwood, Tennessee; Samantha Shipley and husband Zachary of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Ann Taylor of Murray, Kentucky; Grace, Emily and Victoria Taylor of Metropolis, Illinois. His “Farmington” granddaughters are Tayler and Jillian Newsome, Brooke Smith, Lauren Meadows, and Lindsey Howard.
Grandsons are Cody, Noah and Joshua Taylor of Metropolis, Illinois; Montana Taylor and wife Makala of Paducah, Kentucky and Gabriel Keith Taylor of Murray. Beloved “Farmington” grandsons are Corey Newsome and Tucker Newsome.
A drive through visitation for Dan Taylor will be held on Monday, May 11, 2020 from 12 PM - 3 PM at the Heritage Chapel of Imes Funeral Home, 1804 Highway 121 Bypass North, Murray. Please enter the parking lot of the Heritage Chapel off of Lowes Drive to be directed through the visitation line. You will exit the visitation line onto Highway 121 North.
A private burial will be held at Murray Memorial Gardens with Jerry Mays officiating. Pallbearers include, Gabe Taylor, Cody Taylor, Malcon Taylor, Noah Taylor, Tucker Newsome, Corey Newsome. Honorary Pallbearers are Joshua Taylor and Barry Newsome.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Green Plains Church of Christ, 3980 Murray-Paris Rd., Hazel, KY 42049, Farmington Church of Christ, 145 Hawshaw Street, Farmington, KY 42040, Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, 803 Poplar Street, Murray, KY 42071 or the Hazel Alumni Scholarship Fund, C/O MSU Foundation, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, KY 42071.
Please join family and friends in honoring the life of Mr. Dan Taylor by visiting www.imesfh.com and posting your tributes and memories.
The Heritage Chapel of Imes Funeral Home is entrusted with caring for the family of Mr. Dan Taylor.