J. Lester Taylor Sr.

J. Lester Taylor, Sr., age 95, of Robinson, Texas passed away Friday, February 13, 2026 in Groveton, Texas.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 1st at Lee Lockwood Library and Museum, 2801 W. Waco Drive, Waco, Texas with Pastor David Cozart, Executive Pastor Meadowbrook Baptist Church officiating and Mike Waldrop presiding over the Masonic Memorial Service. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m.

J. Lester Taylor was born February 15, 1930, to William Bryan Sr. and Margie (Smalley) Taylor in Waco, Texas. Lester was a lifelong Baptist and member of Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Waco.

He married Barbara Jean Fortune on November 22, 1951. They were devoted parents active in PTA, Band Boosters, Little League, DeMolay and Rainbow Girls. They loved attending the Baptist church together and serving the church. Lester was a Deacon at First Baptist Church Robinson, TX and later at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Waco. They loved working together in Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School, going on Mission Trips and helping build churches. Lester and Barbara were involved in Little League and Pony League with their sons, helping with official score keeping and the concession stand. They joined Waco 7 Eastern Star Chapter in 1963, where they were Past Worthy Matron and Patron. Lester served several times as Worthy Patron.

Lester was an avid woodworker and shared his creations with family, friends, his church, lodge members and strangers. His crosses, prayer benches, and praying hands and other works are spread across the Waco area and the churches he helped build in Colorado and Montana.

Lester served with the rank of Captain in the National Guard and Air National Guard for 22 years as the company commander over units in both Marlin and Hillsboro.

J. Lester was an endowed member of J.H. Gurley Lodge # 337 where he was initiated, passed and raised. He was Past Master in 1973 and 2018 and was a lifetime “A” certificate holder. For the last 30 years, he has taught all the new members of J. H. Gurley Lodge and anyone else who asked him their esoteric work. He was also an endowed member of George N. Denton Lodge #24, where he was Junior Past Master.

He was a master electrician and foreman of the electrical department of Baylor University for 22 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William B. and Margie (Smalley) Taylor; beloved wife of 56 years, Barbara; son, Walter Clyde Taylor; brother William B. Taylor, Jr. and sister Mary Francis Trammell.

Lester is survived by his son, Les Taylor and wife Sharon of Rising Star; daughter, Marcille Lytle and husband Robert of Kountze, Texas; eleven grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.