James Charles Taylor, Sr. passed away in his home on November 20, 2023 with his wife of 63 years, Myrlan, holding his hand. Born in Rocky Mount, NC on January 22, 1940 to Ernest Brown Taylor and Frances Wilder Taylor, Jimmy's family moved to Newport News when he was a small child and later to Hampton, where he grew up and was a proud member of the Hampton High School class of 1958.

After graduation, Jimmy worked at Newport News Shipbuilding for 17 years in the design department. He then went to work at Norfolk Naval Shipyard where he became an original member of the Tiger Team code 3201. He was part of the group from it's early conception in the 70's until his retirement in 2003. His job involved traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad. He supervised a team of skilled mechanics at many Naval institutions and foreign ports to install ship upgrades for the U.S. Navy submarine program. He later became the scheduler for the Tiger Team, assigning projects to the various teams in the office. Jim thoroughly enjoyed his years working in the Tiger Team.

In his younger years he was an exceptional softball player for Buckroe softball team in addition to tireless umpiring. He then became the coach of the Mallory Tigers rec football team, and rumor has it, they never lost a game! Hunting became a part of his life as a member of Quonset hunt club in Suffolk, VA. He loved the outdoors and was a successful hunter.

After moving to Smithfield, he and Myrlan joined the Western Tidewater Master Gardeners. They volunteered many hours at the farmers market as well as at the Isle of Wight County Fair, sharing their gardening skills with others. Jimmy went on many trips to the Outer Banks with his family and loved when his children and grandchildren joined in the fun. He also treasured his many golf outings with his family and friends.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Tammy Taylor Patrick, son-in-law Von Patrick and granddaughter Staci Patrick Belleville. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 63 years, Myrlan Parker Taylor; son James "Jimbo" Charles Taylor Jr. (Tara); grandson, Jason Patrick (Kara); granddaughters, Hayley Taylor (Anthony), and Shelby Guglielmo (Matt); and great grandchildren, Trevor Belleville, Skyler and Sadie Patrick; his brother, Timothy Taylor (Kris); nephews Scott Kennedy (Deb) and David Taylor (Shannon); and his niece, Cathy Johnson (James).

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23669. The family will receive friends one hour to the service. Interment will follow at 3pm at Parklawn Memorial Park.

Jimmy was a diehard New York Yankees fan. Yankee attire is welcome.