Wendell Taylor

Wendell Hart Taylor of Labelle, FL, formerly of Jackson County died May 7, 2025, after a long battle with cancer.

Born in Cottonwood, AL on February 27, 1942 to Hartwell and Willie Hart Taylor. Willie Hart died during childbirth. He was raised by his father, Hartwell and wife, Mary Alice Hart Taylor in the Forks of the Creek Community in Jackson County.

Wendell first became a leader as a young student at Campbellton High School. His leadership began as an active 4-H Club member. He had many successful 4-H projects. He and brother, Grady, excelled in beef cattle judging and were a member of the 4-H State Judging Team. He was a lifeguard during summers at 4-H Camps at Timpoochee 4-H Camp and Lake Cherry 4-H Camp. He was active as a student in school and a member of the Campbellton Wildcats who were state basketball champions for many years. Upon graduation, he continued his education at Chipola Junior College. He graduated from the University of Florida and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He was a member of the UF Judging Team. He was inducted into the prestigious 4-H Hall of Fame in 2002.

Wendell joined the United States Air Force as a Lt. after graduating from UF. He received Officer Training and attended Flight School upon entering the Air Force. He flew B-52 aircraft with 174 combat missions in Viet Nam. He served in the States, the Pentagon and missions overseas. He retired from a very successful military career of almost thirty years. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Superior Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Philippine Legion of Honor and many more.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force, he returned to his beloved Jackson County in Marianna. He immediately became involved in the community. He served as the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Director from 1992 to 1996. Wendell was selected as Jackson County Manager in December 1996 and served until March 2003. He was a devoted and a 24/7 hands-on county manager and brought many changes to the county and many improvements.

Wendell left Jackson County to be the Glades County Manager in 2005 and served until his retirement in 2012. While the Glades County Manager, he was awarded the Al Bragg Award Government Leadership Award by Governor Charlie Crist. In the presentation, it was said, “Mr. Taylor is a retired Air Force Colonel and is currently the Glades County Manager. Someone could write a book on his leadership. He runs a tight ship, but also walks a tight line himself.”

He continued to manage his beloved farm and timber crop until his death. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, Hartwell and Mary Alice Taylor, grandparents, Henry and Vallie Taylor, Nick Hart and younger brother, Bruce Taylor.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gail Greene Taylor, son and daughter-in-law, Bradley and Saskia Taylor, daughter, Vanessa and son-in-law, Johnathan Evans. Grandchildren, Bauke and Scott Taylor, Rhen and Taylor Evans. Brother, Grady Taylor of Marianna, Sisters, Janet Bryan McRae and Martha Taylor Pelham of Marianna. Many cousins, nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Wendell will be held at the Jackson County Agricultural Center, 3631 US-90, Marianna, Fl on Saturday, June 28th, with visitation at 10:00 AM and service to follow at 10:30 AM with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. 

In lieu of flowers, you may donate in Wendell’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 78516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or to Chipola College Alumni Legacy Society, 3094 Indian Circle, Marianna, FL 32446. Email davisa@chipola.edu for additional info.