Leon Taylor

date of birth December 7 1944

date of death November 23 2014

Born Leon Taylor Dec. 7, 1944, in Canton, Mississippi to Robert Taylor and Hattie Mae Johnson. Understanding the danger and risk of young black boys in the “Jim Crow South,” Ms. Johnson moved Leon and his siblings from Jackson, Mississippi to Portland, Oregon when Leon was 12. They quickly settled into North-Northeast Portland in the Boise neighborhood. Leon attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he quickly became a standout on the football and track fields. Leon graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1963. Later, he went on to become a respected football and track coach at the high school.

Throughout Leon’s life employment came with ease. Working at the Portland Shipyard, Safeway Inc., and Dollar Tree Inc. for extended periods of employment. Leon retired from Safeway, but felt the need to remain active and share his knowledge with the next generation of young workers. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and skills with his co-workers. Leon’s great professional accomplishment was that of a clothier. In early 1970 through 1978, Leon own and operated “Leon’s Man Shop” at the corner of Union Ave. and Alberta Street. A wildly successful men’s clothing store; an idea before its time, the shop “suited and booted” many local business professionals, upcoming athletes, and professional athletes. There are many friends and associates Leon touched in his professional and employment history. He completed his work life with Dollar Tree, where he truly enjoyed the company of friends and co-workers.

As an adult Leon dedicated his life to Jesus Christ at New Jerusalem under Pastor Fred Brown and later in life rededicated his life back to Christ at Greater St. Stephan Church of God in Christ as his home church under Pastor Kim Black..

He is survived by his children: Renee Bryant, Linda Kay Taylor-Sloan, Tova Taylor, Keeara Taylor andMarquita Taylor, and step-daughter Sharon Maxwell all of Portland, OR; Craig Taylor of Longview, WA; Delicia Maxwell of Mesa, AZ; Curtis Taylor and Jeffrey Maxwell of Vancouver, WA; Leonetta Shepherd of Victorville, CA; Todd Taylor of Las Vegas, NV; and Sean Taylor of Anaheim, CA. Siblings: Johnie Tucker and Brenda Gordon of Vancouver, WA; Diane Tucker, Charlie Tucker, Cleveland and Jeanne Montgomery all of Portland, OR. He is also survived by extended family members of Canton-Jackson, Mississippi: Jimmie Taylor, Jean Helen Taylor, Johnnie Ruth Taylor, Fairest Kaigler, Revis Taylor, Charles Taylor, Linda Taylor, James Taylor and Joanne Taylor. His son Ramon Taylor, father Robert Taylor, mother Hattie Mae Johnson, sister Dorothy Harding, brother Vernard Taylor, brother Robert Taylor Jr. and sister Mary Barnes and grandson Raul Reese Jr. preceded Leon in death.

A celebration of life  will be Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 1:00 pm at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church located at 3725 N. Gantenbein Avenue in Portland.