Jack Taylor
Oxnard - John Gould Taylor, 88 years young, passed away peacefully on September 8th, 2026. He was born on September 13, 1937, in Ventura to Gould and Peggy Taylor. He grew up on a ranch on Peach Hill, Moorpark. He attended Moorpark and Pleasant Valley elementary schools, having moved to Camarillo in 1948. After graduating from Oxnard High School in 1955, he worked as a carpenter and as a service station mechanic before he began his career at General Telephone in 1957. He worked as a lineman, outside construction supervisor, and engineer until he retired in 1989.
In 1958, he married Donna Lee Kyle of Camarillo (the Lima Bean Queen and Miss Camarillo of 1957) after having known each other for many years. They started a family, starting with Kelley in 1960 and then Rod in 1964.
He loved working on cars and rebuilding engines in their family garage, which became a hangout for neighborhood kids that were all interested in cars. He and Charlie Winfree held a NHRA class H/G record with their flathead V8 1949 Ford. He helped start several car clubs, the T Timers, the Crankers, and the Pharoahs.
He enjoyed playing softball, camping, waterskiing, and racing his Mercury outboard against all his friends jet boats. He never won, but he had a blast!
He was preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Peggy Ann Viser, and mother-in-law Ida Kyle. He is survived by his loving wife, Donna Lee; daughter Kelley Goodwin (Tim); son Rod Taylor; sisters Ruth Kilday, Sharon Hosier, and Nancy Pence (Bob); special cousin Larry Mills, who was like a brother to him; and 2 grandchildren, Kristie Gillispie and Tim Goodwin Jr. He also leaves behind 4 great-grandchildren, Raif, Jack, Rowan, and Hylan, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Special thanks to Bella Nova Villa and owner Maria Ayala and all his caregivers who took such exceptional care of him. For the past several years they were like family. Also a special thanks to Aster Hospice who provided wonderful nursing and medical care as needed.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours and a viewing to be held Thursday, September 24th, at the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, September 25th, at 12:30 pm also at BOYKO & REARDON, with a graveside service immediately following at Ivy Lawn Cemetery. A BBQ reception will following at the residence of Tim and Kelley Goodwin’s, email [email protected] if interested in attending.