Robert Earl Taylor (Pops), of Ennis, Texas passed away on Sunday July 30th, 2023, after reaching the age of 90 years old. He died peacefully after telling the love of his life I Love You Too.

Pops was born on February 27th, 1933, in Longview, TX to William and Gladys Taylor. As the youngest of 5 brothers Pops loved all things outdoors and sports related. As a young student at Longview High School Pops fell in love with football and track. Upon graduation he attended Kilgore College to pursue a teaching degree. Pops always had a desire to teach young people about more than just a sport but about life and about Jesus.

In 1952, he met and married the love of his life, Betty Lawrence. They lived together almost inseparably for over 71 years. After graduating from KC they both attended East Texas State to get their bachelor's degree and Pops earned a Master's Degree. Once they graduated Pops took his first teaching and coaching job at Sherman Junior High School.

While in Sherman, Pops and Mima both worked as teachers and Pops coached football, basketball, track and tennis. While in Sherman they had their daughter Laure. They resided in Sherman for 5 years before moving to El Paso, TX.

Pops and Mima lived in El Paso for 16 years where they raised all 4 of their children: Laure, Bill, Dan, and Richard. While in El Paso, Pops coached at El Paso HS and Irvin HS before moving into the role of administrator. Pops was the Assistant Principal at Irvin HS, Curriculum Coordinator at Coronado HS and Principal at Austin HS before moving to Ennis, TX in 1976.

Pops loved being an Ennis Lion, and more than anything besides his faith and family he loved Ennis Lion Football. He was the Ennis High School Principal for 10 years and was an Assistant Superintendent for Ennis ISD for 2 years.

Pops loved the town of Ennis and the sense of community that Ennis has. After beating Cancer, Pops became an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Ennis Noon Lions Club, and served as the Mayor Pro-tem.

Pops loved the Ennis Noon Lions club and was an active member for 47 years. He was the President, Secretary, and Treasurer…. If there was an office to be held for Lions club Pops was one of them at some point.

Pops was an Eagle Scout growing up, and was awarded the Order of the Arrow, which is the honor society of the Boy Scouts of America, composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives as elected by their peers.

Pops and Mima loved spending time with their friends Doug and Donna Norton and Bill and Rolene Cox, and going on some amazing cruise adventures. If you couldn't find Pops, Doug or Bill, just go to the ice cream cone line…. They would be there! And you could almost guarantee Pops would run into someone he knew, because Pops never met a stranger.

Pops loved to share the word of the Lord on Sunday mornings at the Telico Church in Telico, TX. Pops was an active member at Tabernacle Church in Ennis, TX and he loved sharing Jesus with anyone he met. Pops loved to share the Christmas story; it was his favorite time of the year, not just because of Taylor Family Christmas.. but because he knew Jesus was at the center of it all, and he loved to share the story of Jesus.

Pops loved his family more than anything in this world. He loved Mima until his last breath. Pops had it figured out… Pops just loved people, Pops loved like Jesus, unconditionally.

He was a good father who always took care of his children and did the best he could to teach them about Jesus and guide them to do right, a loving grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather to many. Pops was a good, kind, loving, sweet man. He is loved and will be missed by many!

He is preceded in death by parents: William Taylor, Gladys Taylor Cox; his brothers: Charles Taylor, James Taylor, Joe Taylor, and Gene Taylor.

Pops is survived by his loving wife, Betty Taylor; children: Laure Clark (Charles ), Bill Taylor (Jeri Lynne), Dan Taylor (Leigha), Richard Taylor (Felicia); Grandchildren: Angela Cotten (Tee), Alan Clark (Meggan), Neshia Cehyah (Johnny), Jerad Taylor (Lindsey), Lance Taylor, Kyle Taylor, Morgan Taylor, and McKena Taylor; Great-Grandchildren: Caroline, Tripp, Cade, Cooper, Caylee, Clayton (Rebecca), Claire, Callen,Callie, Lillian, Jackson, Rhett, Logan, Kingsley; Great-Great Grandchild, Van; a host of nieces, nephews and other beloved friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Ennis Noon Lions Club Scholarship fund or the Ennis Retired Teachers Association . Pops loved & valued education, and he loved the ability to help young people be successful for their future.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 5, 2023 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the J. E. Keever Mortuary, 408 N. Dallas St., Ennis, Texas.

A public memorial service will be held Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1200 Country Club Road, Ennis, Texas.

Submitted by family