COL (Ret.) Porcher's Obituary
COL (Ret.) Porcher L. Taylor Jr., Ph.D., affectionately called “PT,” was born on August 9, 1925, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Porcher L., Sr. and Mary Bell Taylor. Early on Sunday, May 26, 2024, surrounded by family, he peacefully entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. PT lived an amazingly full life and humbly recognized that all he was, had and was able to accomplish was purely by the grace of God. It would be impossible to note every aspect of his life here. So, paraphrasing what he penned in his opening invitation to his autobiography, “Damn the Alligators – Full Speed Ahead,” there is so much that God has done for PT, and so much more that he would want to tell you that cannot be included here, but this is not to shine light on himself. Hopefully in this snapshot, you can know a little more about his life and find out why his favorite proclamation was, “to God be the Glory!”
PT’s early years were spent in Jacksonville with his parents and beloved sisters, Virginia and Bettye Ruth, who all preceded him in death, and a host of uncles, aunts and cousins. His father was the founder, publisher, and editor of The Florida Tattler, one of the few African American newspapers in the South at the time. PT proudly worked with his father at Taylor and Son Printing Company, Inc., as a typesetter, where they were known as pioneers of justice, using the weekly publication to shed light on the conditions of African Americans throughout the South. This included aiding in aborting the lynching of two African American men – one near Newman, Georgia, and one near Pompano Beach, Florida, and the spearheading of a successful boycott against two grocery stores in Jacksonville, Florida, because of their cruel and unhuman acts against African Americans (circa 1939). These experiences set in motion a lifelong pursuit of breaking through barriers to eradicate the ills of racism and working towards a country without racism, without bigotry and without hatred, where anyone could realize their full promise and potential.
The Boy Scouts played a pivotal role in PT’s early years. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a teenager, setting the precedent for several others who would become Eagle Scouts in the family. And, in 1994, he became the 4th Virginian to be honored with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA). DESA was established in 1969 by the National Eagle Scout Association to recognize Eagle Scouts who achieve extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their profession and/or service to the nation and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community. DESA is thus NESA’s highest honor for Eagle Scouts.
Education was very important to PT. He attended the local schools in Jacksonville, Florida, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Tuskegee University, where he was part of the Tuskegee Institute Reserve Officer Training Corps, training for and with what became known as the famed Tuskegee Airmen. At Tuskegee he was also the starting fullback for the varsity football team. In 1985, his alma mater recognized his football feats, selecting him as one of Tuskegee Institute’s All-Time Greatest Football Athletes and inducting him into the athletic hall of fame. In 1948, he was a part of the trailblazing young men who chartered the Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, at Tuskegee.
In 1962, he received a Master of Science degree from Virginia State University. In 1969, the U.S. Army was in need of officers trained in the field of psychological services in education. To satisfy this need, the army selected him from a highly competitive list of applicants, to attend the University of South Carolina at the doctorate level. Dr. Taylor graduated from USC in 1972, and as part of that class, was one of the first two African Americans to earn a doctoral degree from USC.
PT had an illustrious military career, serving our country in three major wars – World War II, Korean and Vietnam – and two branches of service, the U.S. Navy and Army. A highly decorated veteran, he was the recipient of over 20 military awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star, completing 6 military schools including the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College, where the army provides its highest level of education for senior officers. As a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, he was not only inducted into the Tuskegee ROTC Hall of Fame, but also a recipient of the coveted Brigadier General Noel F. Parrish award, the highest award given by the Tuskegee Airmen. He also broke barriers as a member of the 555th “Triple Nickles”, the Army’s first and only all-black parachute battalion; and while in the Navy was among the first blacks trained at the Great Lakes Seaman’s School. He paved the way for countless other men and women, to include the likes of the late General Colin Powell, who considered PT an early role model, who would make their mark in military service to our country.
In addition to a storied military career, he served as a professor, counseling director, and Vice-President at Virginia State University, always known for going above and beyond in his care and concern for his students. He sought to make sure VSU was a home away from home for everyone who attended, to include hosting the freshman class at his home, which affectionately became known as “PT’s Oasis.”
In receiving the Virginia Press Associations, Virginian of the Year award in 2014, PT noted, “Your life will be successful, meaningful and productive if you carry out God’s mandate to us to feed, clothe and provide shelter to the poor. Do something good for others every day of your life.” A community servant, member of dozens of boards and other civic organizations, and devoted member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, PT worked diligently to live this out every day of his life. For instance, for 37 years he chaired the Downtown Churches United (DCU) Walk Against Hunger, and in 2017, DCU officially changed the name of the walk to the PT Taylor – DCU Walk Against Hunger” in his honor. In honor of his tireless service to the community, he was the recipient of more than 300 commendations, resolutions, honors and awards.
Among all of his many accolades and accomplishments, the one he wore most proudly was that of family man. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend, COL (Ret.) Porcher L. Taylor, Jr.’s legacy will continue to live on through his family and the countless lives he impacted during his lifetime.
PT was preceded in death by his daughter, Nolani Taylor, and leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Ann; son, Porcher III (April); daughters, Vernita, Angela Butler (Harold), Cheryl, Annette Smith-Lee (Bobby); grandchildren, LTC(P) Nadia Moss (Sherman), Nina Traylor, Raven Butler, Harold Butler III, Jodi Corbett; great-grandchildren, Christian and Alexandra; god-daughter, Wanda Corbett; brother-in-law, Clarence Belton; sisters-in-law, Della Wilson, Minnie Hawkins (Kelly), Dorothy Cannon. As the big brother/baby brother, his sisters affectionately nicknamed him “BeBe,” and their children, C. Ronald Belton (Gloria), Jacquelyn B. Fleming, Brenda B. Waters, Cecil “Larry” Williams (Gwen), the late Andre Williams, Sr., (Yvette), special great-niece, Tina Baker (Jerome), and great-nephew, Commander Andre Williams, Jr., DDS (Ana), along with their children, were very special to Uncle BeBe, in addition to the host of other loving nephews, nieces and cousins PT leaves to remember him. Friends were more like family to PT, and among many, he is survived by his dear devoted friends Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Sr., Harvey Harper, COL (Ret.) Henry Shelton, LTC (Ret.) Jona McKee and Dr. Andrew J. White, Sr. Other special friends include daughters by choice Catherine Hogan and Johna Vazquez, special godson Ernest Greene, special cousin Jerome Matthews, Esq. and special neighbors, Elizabeth Irene Westbrook and Nelson Beasley & Family.
The Taylor family extends their heartfelt thanks to all of the kindness and love shown on the passing of PT. We would like to say a special thank you to the Amedisys Hospice team, McGuire Geriatrics Primary Care Team, Southside / Petersburg Fire & Southside Virginia Emergency Crew (SVEC), Petersburg Police Department, Dr. Sandy Gibson, Eric Jones, LaShina Batts, Nelson Beasley & Family, David Jackson, Andora Jackson, Patricia Washington, Martini Lewis, Annette Smith-Lee, Bobby Lee, Anthony Lewis and Jon & Jamie Smith, for the compassionate and dedicated care and services provided to PT during the latter years of his life. The devotion, gentleness and selfless care each of you provided was second to none.
The family will receive friends Friday, June 28, 2024, beginning at 3:00 PM with a wake to follow at 6:00 PM at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2223 South Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia.
The Celebration of Life/Homegoing Service will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024, 12 PM, at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2223 South Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia.
The interment will be at the Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Services will be livestreamed at http://gsbc.gsbcdirectory.com/ptaylor.
In lieu of flowers or tree planting, please donate to the VSU Foundation: Porcher L. Taylor Excellence Scholarship Endowed Fund or to the PT Taylor Walk Against Hunger.
For the VSU Foundation, Porcher L. Taylor, Jr. Excellence Scholarship Endowed Fund, donate online at: https://bit.ly/PLTExcellenceScholarship
For the PT Taylor Walk Against Hunger: donations can be made online: https://dcuhopecenter.org/
For family and friends who desire hotel accommodations, rooms have been blocked at the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond South/Southpark, 804-520-0600, under Porcher L. Taylor Jr. funeral service. Reservations must be made by June 14th:
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ricspgi-hilton-garden-inn-richmond-south-southpark/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-GI-RICSPGI&y_source=1_MjA4NTA1NS03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.
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