James A. Taylor

James Alfred Taylor, a long time resident of Fairfax, VA, graduated victoriously to Heaven on the morning of Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2017, with strength, honor and dignity to meet his Savior and to be reunited with the love of his life, Vernett (Stadele), his beloved wife of 62 years. Jim lived a very full and productive life with a career that spanned over 60 years as a world renowned wood expert. He worked in the Bell Labs in Murray Hill, NJ and then progressed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Electrification Administration in Washington, DC. Jim traveled extensively domestically and internationally to include over 36 countries on 6 continents, usually in the most remote places on earth. He wrote and presented many technical papers at conferences for the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA), where he was a lifelong member, and also the International Research Group on Wood Products (IRG-WP). In both travel roles, Jim (and later with Vernett) forged many long and lasting friendships globally. Jim graduated from Rutgers University (‘48) with a BS in Agriculture along with serving in the US Army Air Force (ROTC) for 2 years at the end of World War 2. Later he was a squadron leader while serving in the National Guard in the 1950’s and then continued his military service in the US Army Reserve, retiring as an officer at Fort Myers, Arlington, VA. James A. Taylor was the second child of W. Howard Taylor and Johanna (Armerding) Taylor and was born on May 23, 1926 in Plainfield, NJ. He grew up in Fanwood, NJ in a strong and loving Christian home and attended Scotch Plains High School, graduating 1 year early in 1943. Jim truly loved family and is survived by his 3 children-Jefferson (Debbie) of Santa Fe, NM, Carol (W. Thomas) of Richmond, VA and Steven (Nancy) of Charlotte, NC, 6 grandchildren- Heather (Todd), Timothy (Courtney),Matthew, Paul, Andrew & Katie and 5 adoring great grandchildren- Taylor, William, Daniel, Benjamin & Caroline, who brought much joy to him in his later years. Funeral services will be held at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 12:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 11:00 AM until service time. Interment Quantico National Cemetery at 2:00 PM. In remembrance of James A. Taylor, donations may be made to his faithful and loving church- First Baptist Church of Merrifield (Building Fund Designation), 8122 Ransell Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042.

James A. Taylor

May 23, 1926 - December 24, 2017