Jerry Dean Taylor

Jerry Dean Taylor, 77, passed away Monday, March 4, 2019 at Wood-Lawn Heights Nursing Facility in Batesville, Arkansas. Jerry was born on April 22, 1941, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Floyd D. "Bud" and Dessa (Payne) Taylor. He spent his early years in Correctionville, Iowa. In 1954 the Taylor family moved to Yankton, South Dakota. Jerry graduated from Yankton High School in 1959. After attending college at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Jerry graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1964. He subsequently served two years in the U.S. Army, followed by two years of Active Reserve service. Jerry earned a Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. On August 6, 1966, Jerry was united in marriage with K. Dianne Shearon in Elk Point, South Dakota. They resided in Wisconsin and Oklahoma where Jerry was employed by Mercury Marine. In 1980 Jerry purchased the NAPA Auto Parts Store in Batesville and continued in the auto parts business until his retirement in 2003. He was an avid collector of Ford Mustangs and a member of the River City Cruisers. Survivors include his wife Dianne; daughter, Julie L. Taylor, and granddaughter, Katherine "Kate" Taylor, both of Clayton, North Carolina; two nieces and three cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jeffrey David Taylor; and his sister, Joan Taylor Gross. Pallbearers are Dennis Smith, Alton Stewart, Berry Hammers, Ron Lewallen, Johnny Kent, and Terrell Tebbetts. Honorary pallbearers will be the River City Cruisers and the Alpha Sunday School Class. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Batesville where Jerry was a longtime member. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 2014, Batesville, Arkansas 72503; or to the University of South Dakota Foundation, 1110 N. Dakota St., Vermillion, South Dakota 57069. www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/batesville.