Tommy

Burlen Thomas (Tommy) Taylor was born on February 20, 1951, in Canyon, Texas, to Otis Lawton and Murel Faye (Cope) Taylor. He grew up in Happy, Texas where he helped on the family farm. He attended Happy Schools and graduated with the Class of 1969. During his school years he excelled at multiple sports, playing tennis and football, but his favorite was basketball. When the coach got tired of him breaking into the gym to shoot hoops, they just made him a key. When he wasn’t playing sports, you could find him at the local pool hall where he developed a lifelong love of the game and competed in many tournaments, including going to Vegas a few times.

Shortly after high school Tommy learned to drive a big rig, he was instantly hooked and this became his lifelong profession, driving over 40 years. Whether it was a long haul to New York or hauling grain locally for Hominy Feeds, he was the happiest when he was behind the wheel. When he wasn’t behind the wheel, you could find him at his favorite local pub where he was well known for his quick wit and orneriness. On August 5, 1972, Tommy married Alice Elver in Boise City, Oklahoma and together they welcomed his only child, Utana.

Tommy passed from this life on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Murel Taylor; his paternal grandparents, Pauline and Alford Taylor; and his maternal grandparents, William and Nellie Cope.

He is survived by his daughter, Utana Taylor; two grandchildren, Jacob (April) Taylor and Melissa Taylor (fiancé, Kalebb Woodall); and 6 great-grandchildren, Faith Woodall, Ryan Taylor, Kennedy Bigger, Teresa (Tessie) Taylor, Allison (Poothead) Taylor, and Jo’el Taylor; as well as numerous cousins, extended family members.

Per Tommy’s request, there will be no services. You can honor his memory by going down to your favorite pub, popping a top on a cold one and sharing your favorite memories and a toast to an onery, grouchy ole cuss that everyone loved to see walk through the door. Online memorial tributes and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.