Ira Douglas Taylor, Sr. Obituary (1931 - 2018)

On June 12, 1931, Ira was born to Preston Sr. and Edna Taylor in Lockhart, Texas. He was the third eldest of six children. Ira attended Austin Public Schools and received a trade in mechanics. He accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and he took pride in being one of the eldest, longest attending members at East Nineteenth Street Missionary Baptist Church. He married the love of his life, Billie Grace Taylor and to this union, seven children were born; Gerald, Harriett, Sheila, Robert, Mark, Alan, and Ira Jr. Mr. Taylor was the epitome of a hard-working man, great father, and provider. His greatest tools in life were his hands. He enjoyed working on cars, being outdoors, welding, and doing carpentry work. But most of all, he loved going fishing with his boys. Ira was very passionate about being of service to others. He served in the U.S Army and was a proud veteran. He was employed with the City of Austin and retired after more than 30 years of service. After retiring, Mr. Taylor served as a crossing guard for Blackshear Elementary. Until his health began failing him, Ira was a faithful volunteer with the Blackland Neighborhood Center for many years. On April 2, 2018, Ira answered God's call and said goodbye to his earthly home. He was preceded in death by his wife Billie, his son Mark, his parents, his brothers: Edward and Preston Jr, and sisters: Mary and Ola Lee. He leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Gerald, Harriett, Sheila, Robert (Ramona), Alan, and Ira Jr. (Joy); his grandchildren, Isha (Karl), Gerald Jr. (LaQuinta), Tonya, Damien, Kimberly, Ernest, Erin, Lyle, Olivia, Zhane, Robert Jr., Angela, David, Clarence, Terrance, Johnathan (Shonda), Jennifer, Mark Jr.(Justine), Ashley, Alan Jr., Roderick, and Taylor; his loving sister Alberta Spence, his sister-in-law of Seattle Washington, Margaret Vaden, 19 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whose lives he touched along his journey.