With heavy hearts, our family mourns — and lovingly celebrates — the life of James “Jim” Taylor, known to so many simply as “Pawpaw”who passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2026. At 71, Jim left this world the same way he lived in it: fighting strong and surrounded by the people who meant everything to him. In his final moments, he was held close by his soulmate, Sherry; his children; his grandchildren; his brothers and sister; nieces and nephews; cousins; and countless friends — a circle of love that never once left his side.
If you were looking for Jim, you didn’t have to search very hard. The ballfield was his second home. Whether it was baseball, softball, or football season, he could usually be found coaching with passion, cheering loudly from the stands, or sitting in his familiar VIP parking spot beside the dumpster out in left field at the softball field — the first place everyone knew to look. To Jim, the field was never just a game. It was where he invested his heart into his family, his community, and the people he loved most.
Jim was a devoted father, a proud grandfather, a loyal brother, and a partner whose love story with Sherry was built on laughter, strength, unwavering loyalty, and deep devotion. Family was the center of his world, and he made sure each person in it knew just how loved they were.
Jim is survived by loving wife Sherry Taylor beloved children, Shannon Soblit and her husband Steven Soblit, Opie Taylor and his wife Valarie Taylor, and Luke Taylor; his cherished grandchildren, Scott Soblit and Camryn Lantz, Aly Boggess and Briana Boggess, Ana Soblit, Hunter Taylor, and Kerrigan Taylor; his brothers and sister, Janet, Donald, David, Clayton, Charlie, and Tom; brothers-in-law Adam Plantz, Chuck Plantz, Patrick Cole, and Tony Presley; as well as a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, lifelong friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known and loved him. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, cousins, lifelong friends, and all those lucky enough to have shared life with him.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Opie Taylor, and by his siblings Shirley, Freddie, Ronnie, John, Bill, and Joe.
Though our hearts ache in his absence, we find comfort in knowing he left this world wrapped in love and leaves behind a legacy of grit, kindness, loyalty, and family that will live on for generations.
And we will feel him — always.
Every time we turn on a race, settle in for basketball, watch baseball or softball under the lights, or start talking about the upcoming football season, we’ll hear his voice in the room and feel his presence beside us. His West Virginia hat will forever rest on his favorite chair — still the best seat in the house — reminding us that love like his never truly leaves. It simply changes shape.
A tribute to the life of Jim will be 1:00 PM Wednesday May 13, 2026 at Kanawha Two Mile Gospel Tabernacle with Pastor David Taylor officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.
