Theodore Wakefield Taylor, Jr.

Theodore Wakefield Taylor, Jr. (Ted), 91, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Asbury Care Center, Aldersgate Retirement Community, Charlotte, NC after a long battle with dementia.

Ted was born September 21, 1926 in Harrisburg, NC, the oldest of six children of the late Theodore Wakefield Taylor, Sr. and Lila Barley Taylor.  He learned early in his life that hard work, honesty, fairness, responsibility and dependability were traits to be valued and practiced daily.

He was a U. S. Navy Veteran having served his country during World War II (1944-46) and again during the Korean Conflict (1950-52).

His early years were spent in Concord, NC where he married Yvonne Arthur on March 31, 1944.  They moved to Charlotte in 1955.  In 1957 he started T-C Construction Company in his home, moving later to his own building in the Derita community.  Ted was owner/president of T-C Construction Company, Inc. for 46 years, performing residential and commercial additions/renovations and new home construction until his retirement in 2003.   His wife worked with him for many of those years and also son Tim for about 20 years.

Ted was a long time, faithful member of Cole Memorial Methodist Church where he served in many leadership positions and sang in the choir.  He and Yvonne later joined University City United Methodist Church in 1991 where they loved being members of The Wesley Fellowship Sunday School Class and participated in two mission trips to Jamaica.   He also went on several trips to Cuba with the Western North Carolina Conference Building Team.  He liked to serve his community and had been a member and president of Derita Lion’s Club, member and president of Mallard Creek Optimist Club, Past Master of Derita Masonic Lodge No. 715 A.F. & A.M., and member of the Shriners Charlotte Chapter No. 39.

Ted and Yvonne enjoyed traveling the world with their friends; activities with the Jokesters Club; their mountain house in Laurel Springs where he “whistled while he worked”; their beach house in Garden City; and most of all time with their family.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 73 years, Yvonne, who died on July 17, 2017; two-year old daughter, Linda Dianne (December 1949); granddaughter, Amy Taylor Harvell (March 2007).  Also, two brothers, J. D. and Howard; two sisters, Martha Ann and Maye.

He is survived by daughters Shelby Wallace and husband Johnny, Huntersville, NC; Beverly Burton and husband Matthew, Clemmons, NC; son Tim Taylor and wife Carol, Huntersville, NC.  Grandchildren Melanie Hayes (Ed); Eric Wallace (Michelle); Heather Bridwell (Jason); Taylor Burton (Derek Rittmer).Great grandchildren Brooke and Ethan Hayes; Trevor and Ashley Wallace; Megan Bridwell. Also sister, Kathy Howell; sister-in-law, Pat Taylor; a number of nieces and nephews, including Sheldon and Daryl Taylor, Gina James, and Mark Ward.

Anyone who was blessed to cross Ted Taylor’s path was touched by his smile and happy spirit.

The family would like to thank the nurses, CNA’s and other staff members at Aldersgate Cuthbertson Village and Asbury Care Center who lovingly and patiently cared for our father since the ultimate caregiver (our mother) passed away last year.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 21, 2018 at University City United Methodist Church, 3835 W. WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.   The burial committal with military honors will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Carolina Memorial Park of Concord-Kannapolis.

In lieu of flowers, tax exempt contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Taylor with checks made payable to Amy Taylor Harvell Scholarship Fund with Special Account #60467843 on memo line.  Please mail to Amy Taylor Harvell Scholarship Fund, 8906 Wedgewood Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078, or memorial contributions in his name to Aldersgate Supplementary Care Fund and mailed to Aldersgate UMRC, Inc., 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.