LILBOURN, Mo. -- James Robert Taylor, 75, of Lilbourn went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at his home.

He was born Oct. 3, 1941, in Lilbourn, the son of the late James Park and Myrtle Fowler Taylor. He was a 1959 graduate of Lilbourn High School.

On Jan. 22, 1961, he married his high-school sweetheart, Gloria Nell Ash, at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in Marston, Missouri. James devoted his life to God, his wife and family and his love of farming.

James was a humble man who was loved by all. He lived by the example of "Put God first. Pray, and He will always hear you. Put your family second, and then your friends and everything else will fall into place."

James gave his life to God in July 1954 and in 1965 began his service as a deacon in the Kewanee Missionary Baptist Church at Kewanee, Missouri, which he continued until his death.

Survivors include his loving wife, Gloria Taylor of the home; best friend and brother, Bill "Willie" (Carolyn) Taylor of Lilbourn, and sweet sissy, Carolyn Sue (Jerry) Hayes of Marston; and three daughters and their husbands, whom James knew as "sons," Kim and Ronnie Jones of New Madrid, Missouri, Kelly and Curt Poore of Jackson and Kathy and Kirk Palmer of New Madrid.

James was "Ge-Pa" to his grandchildren and their families, who are Kyle and Ashley Denton of Cape Girardeau, Katie and Tyler Jamison of Paragould, Arkansas, Taylor and Matt Hamlett, James Curtis Poore, Park Poore of Jackson, Makenzie (fiance Gage Silman) Palmer and Mason Palmer of New Madrid. Great-grandchildren are Ian and Whitley Jamison of Paragould and Kwynn Denton of Cape Girardeau.

James was loved by his many nieces, nephews and a host of many dear friends.

James Robert Taylor touched so many in his lifetime, and he will be greatly missed!

Pallbearers will be Kyle Denton, James Curtis Poore, Park Poore, Mason Palmer, Tyler Jamison and Matt Hamlett.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gage Silman, J.R. Blankenship, Ray Fowler, Danny Hall, Gene Speight, Jerry Hayes, Danny Hayes, Derek Hayes, Adam Hayes, David Taylor, Jason Taylor and Noah Taylor.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Kewanee Missionary Baptist Church.

The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with Brother Dan Wisely officiating. Burial will be in Mounds Park Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Kewanee Missionary Baptist Church, Hope Exchange and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid is in charge of arrangements.