BJ Taylor Jr.'s Obituary
LCDR B J(Jere) Taylor, Jr. USN (Ret.), 87, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, surrounded by his beloved sisters at Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville, TN. Born in Brownsville, TN to the late BJ Taylor and Polly Halliburton Taylor, he grew up in Ripley, TN where he graduated from Ripley High School in 1956. Jere was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Carol Reilly Taylor, and by his brothers, Robert (Bobby) Taylor and B.E.(Gene) Taylor. The firstborn grandson of the Taylor and Halliburton families, he was deeply loved by both and spent many summers working on the Taylor farm in Dresden, TN.
Jere attended UT Martin and then UT Knoxville where he graduated with a civil engineering degree. He worked for the United States Army Corp of Engineers prior to enlisting in the US Navy. He was commissioned as Ensign and assigned to the minesweeper USS Ability in March 1962 in Charleston SC. During his naval career, his devoted Mother and adoring three little sisters eagerly awaited his return between assignments, excited to hear his “sea” stories and world adventures. Jere was later assigned to the destroyer USS Taussig and deployed to the pacific during the Vietnam War. After attending USN post graduate school in Monterey CA and completing a Master of Science degree in Oceanography, Jere was assigned to the USS Sylvania, deployed to the Mediterranean, and then assigned to the destroyer USS Fiske in the Middle East. His naval career included the Naval War College, shore duty to the United Nations Command Center in Korea and assignment to NATO and Commander and Chief of the US Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk. Jere retired as a Lieutenant Commander after 21 years of active duty in 1982. His civilian career began as an engineer for the naval subcontractor Analysis and Technology Inc., later acquired by Anteon Corporation, where he retired with 22 years of service.
Jere loved his Chesopeian Colony community in Virginia Beach, VA where he held offices in the Civic League and served as a local election official for many years. Jere was passionate about the preservation of all of God’s creatures including the rescue of lions, tigers, domestic cats and dogs. He especially loved his cats, Gizmo, Flame and Sassy as well as his pond of koi fish, bluebirds and assorted backyard critters. Jere was a member of the Butterfly Society of Virginia with a determination to help preserve the species including the creation of his yard as a registered backyard Monarch Waystation. Sharing his caterpillar and butterfly knowledge encouraged many to enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature.
Left to cherish his memory are his sisters and their spouses, Jane Martin (Jane) of Collierville, TN, Carol Karr (Joe) of Oxford, MS and Cindy Hampton (Tyler) of Hernando, MS, many extended family and friends, and Sue Cocke, dear friend/caregiver.
A service for family and friends will be held at the Princess Anne Memorial Park Mausoleum, Virginia Beach VA on Thursday February 5 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Pete Paine officiating and Military Honor service. Memorial contributions may be made to Collierville Christian Church, P.O. Box 1706, Collierville, TN 38027.
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