John Armstead Taylor

John Armstead Taylor, educator, administrator, musician, composer, and 20-year resident of Jefferson City, died Monday, October 28, 2013, in Chicago, Ill. He was 74. Dr. Taylor moved to Jefferson City in 1978, to lead the Department of Fine Arts at Lincoln University. He strengthened its academic programs, recruiting and developing a talented faculty, promoting a culture of excellence among students, and attracting instructional resources. By 1998, Dr. Taylor's many contributions at Lincoln, as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and as Vice President of Academic Affairs, had won the attention of the Chicago-based Higher Learning Commission. He began a second career there, this time helping other colleges and universities travel their own roads towards higher levels of quality in their academic programs. Through it all, however, Dr. Taylor made music. Classically-trained on the trumpet, he played in back-up bands that included Ray Charles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Nancy Wilson, and Stevie Wonder. He played in countless community ensembles including the Jefferson City Symphony, Cantorum, and Little Theatre. He directed choirs at Community Christian Church. He conducted the Jefferson City Symphony. He wrote, arranged, and published music for choir, band, and orchestra. Dr. Taylor is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara Pollard Taylor of Chicago, Illinois; one son, Jonathan Taylor and wife Joelle Simpson Taylor of Greenbelt, Maryland; four granddaughters, Hannah, Abigail, Sarah, and Jamie; one daughter Allyson Taylor Hall and husband Jason Hall of Alexandria, Virginia; four sisters, Jewel, Phyllis, Brenda, and Rubye; one aunt, Lucille Taylor Hudson; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Two brothers, Waverly and Charles and one sister, Joyce preceded him in death. Friends will be received from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, Chicago Temple, with a Memorial Service to follow. Interment is on November 9, at Zion Baptist Church in Kinsale, Virginia, the church Dr. Taylor's dad once pastored. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the ALS Association (www.alsa.org) or to a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.aarayner.com.