Derrell Taylor

Derrell (Dean) Taylor of Garden Ridge, Texas, graduated this life and went to heaven on January 21, 2015 at 84 years young. Dean was born the 13th child in his family to Edna Pearl Bailey and John Bray Taylor in Slaton, Texas during the Great Depression. Times were hard but there was never a lack of playmates. He enjoyed cardgames and dominoes from which he learned to be a fierce competitor. He took that competiveness and used it in every part of his life. Dean joined the Army in 1948 at the age of 17, completing tours in both Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded many medals, including Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Medic Badge, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart to name just a few. He retired from the service on December 31, 1968. During his time in the Army, he worked part-time at the Car Mart on Broadway. Thus began his love for automobiles. In 1970, he opened Dean's Auto Parts and Service which flourished for many years before adding Dean's Used Cars. Dean was a respected business man with a passion for selling and financing automobiles. He was a man of great character whose firm handshake was stronger than any contract. Customers became friends and still remain to this day. Dean was a self made man, well grounded in his roots, never forgetting where he came from. He loved motorcycles, traveling and all things NASCAR. He was a member of Windcrest United Methodist Church, member of the Garden Ridge Lion's Club, past president of the Randolph Motorcycle Association and past Wagon Master of Canyon Sams' RV club. He is survived by his beloved wife of 17 years, Paula Diane Lux Taylor, his 3 children: daughter Gina Brandes and husband Chris, son Derrell Taylor, Jr., youngest daughter Michelle Holder and husband Rusty, step son Gregory Salmon of La Jolla, CA, his grandchildren: Casey, Shanna and Taylor Brandes; Brandon Taylor; Gary, Christina, Ryan and Eric Holder; Anna and Den Salmon, 12 Great Grandchildren, sister Wanda Love Ferguson of Farmer's Branch, Tx., brother in law and wife Don and Judy Lux of Surprise, AZ, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved car lot cat Maggie Mae. Visitation will be held Monday, January 26, 2015 from 5pm until 8pm at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 7735 Gibbs Sprawl Rd. (FM 1976), San Antonio, Tx. 78239. A funeral will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 1:00pm also at Chapel Hill Funeral Home. Chaplain Joe Stuller will preside. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Dean to the Kirby Animal Shelter, 112 Bauman St., Kirby, Tx., 78219.