Funeral services for John Drue Taylor, 87, of Farmerville, will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Farrar Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Paul Carter, Bro. Andy Allred and Bro. David Martin officiating. Interment will follow at Liberty Hill/Taylor cemetery in Farmerville under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home of Farmerville.

Mr. Taylor was born August 17, 1931, to the union of Elizabeth "Bessie" Taylor and John Taylor in Farmerville and passed away on February 13, 2019.

He was a 1950 graduate of Farmerville High School. While in the Fourth Grade, his right arm was badly crushed playing football. In the Sixth Grade, a friend accidentally shot him in his right eye with a BB gun. He lost eyesight in the eye. He could have accepted his "disabilities" and no one could have blamed him if he had used all of his challenges as an excuse to not participate in life's activities. But he was one of those "overcomers" mentioned quite prominently in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 3. He went on to letter in football, basketball and baseball in spite of his handicaps and was even named "Best Boy Athlete" and "Best All-Around Boy" in his senior year. He was also a veteran of the Korean Conflict.

He was a retired pipeline Dozer Operator, having worked for contractors from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky down to the southern part of Louisiana and also into Texas and New Mexico until 1980. But, he never forgot his love of his farm back in Union Parish, where he maintained a cattle operation until 2008. He and his wife raised the first Limousin cattle in Union Parish and he helped organize the Louisiana Limousin Association, serving as its first President.

This kind, honest, humble, caring man was ordained as a Deacon in 1969 and served faithfully in every sense of the word until his death. He was an inspiration and blessing to family and friends. He loved people of all ages, and especially enjoyed visiting nursing homes and hospitals. He, Dr. Bob Farrington and Mrs. Virginia Yelton conducted a weekly service at the local Retirement Center for several years. He also assisted local pastors conducting Sunday afternoon services at Arbor Rose, an assisted living facility.

John Drue has departed this life, yet we are full of joy because we know that he is now forever whole in the presence of our loving and powerful Savior. God gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldier, and John Drue was as strong as they come. He was a "survivor" and to his family he was a superhero. His kindness was felt by everyone around him, and he wouldn't hesitate to go out of his way to help anyone at any time. The world is bleaker without him in it, but infinitely better because of the life that he led and those that he impacted along the way.

He was a Gideon and also served on numerous Boards that included: Union General Hospital, North La. Farmers, Cattlemen's Association and Soil Conservation Service.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Math Taylor; a sister, Marguerite Taylor Brown and nephew Matthew Taylor.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Novice Glass Taylor; sister, Sally Jane Taylor Aulds; sister-in-law, Carolyn Glass Taylor and husband, James; numerous nieces and nephews and his devoted pets, Bob, Gigi and Amos.

Pallbearers are Gary Cobb, Jerry Mac Allen, Jimmy Tinsley, Von Hearn, Ricky Cobb, Johnny Hearn and Scott Brantley.

Honorary pallbearers are George Sturdivant, Dan Albritton, Jearl Savage, Don Wilkes, Ed Aulds and John Allen.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 15, 2019 at Farrar Funeral Home Chapel in Farmerville.