John Phillip Taylor

The man, the myth, the legend. Legendary John Phillip Taylor passed away peacefully on September 6, 2023. John was a single father of four children, small business owner, former president of West Visalia Kiwanis, former El Diamante High School Key Club advisor, longtime member of Visalia United Methodist Church, hockey player, and so much more. John loved his family, church, and community and was dedicated to giving all that he could during his lifetime. John was born on November 1, 1962, in Visalia, California, to Clyde and Helen (Nee Shields) Taylor. He was a resident of Tulare County most of his life. John was the owner of Taylor Machinery, Inc., which is well-known throughout the Central Valley for its agricultural inventions and equipment, including the cotton module builder. John even built the iconic "Downtown Visalia" signs - a source of great pride for him. John loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them, especially his grandchildren. John's grandson, Tristan Taylor, was the light of his life and his loss will be greatly felt. John was preceded in death by his father Clyde, his mother Helen, and his great grandson Clyde James (CJ) Taylor. He is survived by his children Jessica Taylor of Tulare, John Taylor of Virginia Beach, VA, Melissa Taylor of Visalia, Trinity Taylor of Fremont, as well as his brother Richard Hurst of Green Bay, WI and sister Pamela Hayes of Cary, NC. John is also survived by 12 grandchildren. John will be dearly missed by his family and all those who knew him. They will miss his humor, rocking out to classic rock, barbecuing, boat rides at Kaweah Lake, strong hugs, and they will miss the love he poured out on each them. "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he shall stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God." (Job 19:25-26.) We carry on confident that John has been lifted up, victorious in Christ Jesus. There will be a Celebration of Life for John P. Taylor on September 23, 2023, at 8:15a.m., at the United Methodist Church located at 5200 W. Caldwell Ave., Visalia, CA, immediately followed by a burial in the Visalia Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the church the day of the service, on or around 7:45 a.m. Given John's legacy of giving back all that he can, gifts can be made to the Visalia United Methodist Church or West Visalia Kiwanis. Viewing will be held 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Friday, September 22nd, 2023 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Viewing will be held 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 at Visalia United Methodist Church, 5200 W. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Funeral services will be held 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 at Visalia United Methodist Church, 5200 W. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Graveside services will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

John Phillip Taylor

November 1, 1962 - September 6, 2023