John N. Taylor, Jr.

John N. Taylor Jr, age 90, passed away peacefully on Sept. 12 at his home surrounded by his family. Taylor was born in Dayton, Ohio on Aug. 2, 1935, to John N. Taylor Sr. and Margaret (May) Taylor.

He graduated from Oakwood High School in 1953 and was an alumnus of Denison University, where he earned a BA in Economics in 1957. In 1961 he completed an MBA degree at Indiana University. Military service included 2 years as a Navigator in the USAF-Strategic Air Command, where he was a Distinguished Officer Graduate. Mr. Taylor is survived by the love of his life, his bride of 67 years, Elizabeth (Connie) Taylor (Smith). Together, they resided in the west Kettering, Ohio area for over 65 years and maintained a winter residence at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida for over 40 years. Taylor is survived by 4 grown children, Anthony S. (Kelly) Taylor, Gregory N. Taylor, Anne Taylor Heutel (David), Margaret Taylor Hogarth. Mr. Taylor is also survived by his 16 grandchildren, 4 great- grandchildren, his twin sister Joan Taylor Franks and sisters Terry Holton and Julie Taylor. He was preceded in death by his beloved oldest daughter Elizabeth A. Taylor, his brothers William and Michael Taylor, and his son-in law, Peter Hogarth.

Early in his work life he was employed as a stockbroker, but his dream was to own his own company. Consistent with his vision, Mr. Taylor purchased Kurz-Kasch, Inc. in 1974 and was the President and Chairman of the Board for 27 years. “K-K” is a specialty manufacturer of plastic based components and electromagnetic products, headquarter in Dayton Ohio, with manufacturing facilities in Wilmington OH, Newcomerstown, OH and Sanford, NC. Kurz-Kasch was purchased by Dover Industries in May 2001. Mr. Taylor was chairman/CEO of Component Technology Corp, a NASDAQ company, until it’s sale in June 1989. Comptech specialized in manufacturing zero defect plastic assemblies for the computer and business machine industries.

Taylor had a deep faith and was an active member of St. Albert the Great church in Kettering and St. Justin Martyr church in Key Largo. He demonstrated his faith in his quiet and usually behind the scenes service to his community. As a couple, the Taylor’s were foster parents for over 10 years with 15 children placed in their home through Catholic Social Services.

Mr. Taylor had decades of consistent service with community organizations and boards. Those include Young President’s Organization (YPO), Chief Executive Organization ( CEO), United Way of Dayton, Associate Board of the Dayton Art Institute, Board of Trustees and Chairman of Goodwill Industries of Dayton He was also a lifetime member of the Newcomen Society of the United States, and was honored by the society in 1989 for his continued contributions to business, industrial and institutional history and achievement.

He had a special affection for his alma mater, Denison University, and for 14 years served on the Board of Trustees in many capacities. He was instrumental in the success of their capital campaigns, where again he combined his skills in finance and philanthropy for the benefit of the University. He was elected a Life Trustee in 1996.

His hobby and avocation were finance and every week he read Barrons’s newspaper cover to cover. And as he was an astute businessman, in 1991, Mr. Taylor was invited to serve as a member of the Small Business Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and in 1992 was elected a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland-Cincinnati branch. From January 1994 – December 1996, Mr. Taylor served as Chairman.

He combined his skills in finance, with his servant heart, and was a founding member of the Dayton Development Coalition and served on its board for 5 years. Mr. Taylor co-chaired the design, creation and funding of the Dayton Development Coalition’s 37-million-dollar Miami Valley Venture Fund.

Mr. Taylor continued his community involvement with multiple other Dayton area and regional boards including Robbins and Myers, Inc, The Dayton Foundation, Dayton Area Progress Council, First National Bank, LSI Industries, Mike-Sells Potato Chip Company, Neff Folding Box, and VanDyne Crotty Inc.

A Key Largo, Florida winter resident, Mr. Taylor served on the Ocean Reef Club Board of Directors and was President of the Ocean Reef Foundation, again quietly using his talent, time and treasure to help those in need.

He was deeply committed to the betterment and welfare of the Greater Dayton Area, and while in Ohio, he did the same, serving as a Trustee of Sinclair Community College from 1998-2002 and Trustee of Sinclair Community College Foundation from 2002-2008. Mr. Taylor had a strong financial and volunteer time commitment to Sinclair’s Young Scholars Program, Taylor’s Access Grants and Visiting Scholars Endowment.

It was in his position on the Sinclair Foundation that he produced one of the most enduring legacies to his name, the Montgomery County Ohio College Promise program. This initiative is devoted to helping disadvantaged and underserved students obtain a college education. Since its inception in 2010, the MCOCP has enrolled over 500 poverty impacted students who have received a college degree with little to no cost.

Mr. Taylor was awarded the prestigious NCCJ, the National Conference for Community and Justice Friendship Award in October 2000, which recognizes vast public service involvement. He and Mrs. Taylor also received the Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropy award in November of 2002. His considerable philanthropic involvements will continue to support those institutions and charities he loved.

Mr. Taylor was known for his unique sense of humor. While in Florida or Ohio he enjoyed golfing, always working on improving his game. On his many rounds with his wife, family and life-long friends, on his third putt for double bogey he would be heard saying his favorite slogans: “Pick it up” or “So be it” and his famous self-deprecating saying to himself—"You dumb donk”. And no one will forget his other favorite saying: when asked how he was doing, with a twinkle in his eye, he would reply—"I’m still sober.” He had a smile and warm word for everyone he met.

Routsong Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements, set for 12:00 noon, Thursday Sept. 18 at St. Albert the Great Catholic church, with private burial for family members only, to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Montgomery County Ohio College Promise Program through the Dayton Foundation.