Arthur M. Taylor
January 29, 1942 ~ October 22, 2023
Born in:
Asheville, NC
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Arthur M. Taylor, born January 29, 1942, passed away on October 22, 2023, peacefully at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Elizabeth Taylor and son, Don Taylor.
He graduated from Enka High School and attended Appalachian Teachers College (App. State) and received his Bachelor Degree. He received his Master Degree at Western Carolina University.
He began his career at Sand Hill Elementary School, and later moved on to be principal at Erwin Middle School, Enka High and retired as principal of North Buncombe Middle School. He was awarded Buncombe County Principal of the Year in 1988.
After retirement, Art enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids, volunteering at Manna Food Bank, working with the Enka Lions Club, and being a proud member and choir member of Montmorenci Methodist Church. He always had a passion for horseback riding, fishing and camping with his friends and family.
Art also always loved old cars and enjoyed taking his “hot rod” all over the local area for car shows.
Dad was a three time cancer survivor, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. In the last few years, he enjoyed traveling with his special friend, Linda Davis. They went on a cruise to Nova Scotia, Iceland and Greenland, and took many more local trips. This past summer they took a road trip out west, where he was able to visit the last three states that he had never been to.
He is survived by his son, Andy (Kim) Taylor; grandsons, Cole and Logan Taylor; partner, Linda Davis; granddaughter, Elizabeth Fitzgibbon; grandson, Aaron Taylor; and great-granddaughter, Bailey Fitzgibbon.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, at Montmorenci Church in Candler. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Enka Lions Club or Montmorenci Church.
The family would like to thank all the friends that have supported dad over all these years, and the prayers and love they have shown.
Services
Memorial Service: October 29, 2023 2:00 pm
Montmorenci United Methodist Church
89 Old Candler Town Road
Candler, NC 28715
(828)667-1211
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Our deepest sympathy, Andy and family!! God blessed me thru Art as my boss at Enka High School. He was a hard worker for the youth in our Hominy Valley Community and in other communities as well. His energy and love for children will be missed by many!! Velma & Bud Crowe
I’ll miss you my friend.
Condolences to the family of Mr. Art Taylor. He was the principal at Erwin Middle when we taught there. He would come to visit and have meals with us. We found him to be a man who worked hard and wasn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty. He supported his faculty and wanted the students to do the best.
Judy and Stanley Ward
We are so sad to hear of Art’s passing and so glad he was a part of our lives. Go Rest High on that Mountain!
I wii miss Art!!! He was a great man who gave so much for so many!!!
Art was a good friend and high school classmate. He will be missed and appreciated for his years of service to the community and his friendship.with our sympathy Jack and Kay Young
Art was a kind and generous man . Pat and I had breakfast sometimes at the Miami Restaurant with him and Linda. He bought our breakfast one morning and we didn’t know until we started to leave .
Art was a fine man who was good to everyone. I’ve lived my whole life in Candler and I cannot remember when I didn’t know Arthur Taylor. He worked at Clyde Wright’s gas station at the Enka red light as a young man and was always fun to be around when my parents went there to buy gas. I have been fortunate to get to have many old car conversations with him during breakfast at Miami. I will miss you my friend, but R.I.P. and I will see you again someday.
Art was a delightful classmate in high school and his life accomplishments indicate a life of service. I remember his singing “Climb Every Mountain” at our High School Graduation Ceremony.
My condolences to the family and his many friends.
I worked for your Dad at Erwin Middle. He was such a fine man. Ronnie and I send our love and prayers to you and your family during this time.
Art’s voice will always be singing in our hearts and in our lives. He was a kind gentleman who loved God and loved people. Art made the world a kinder place.
Andy and Family, We did not have your dad in school as a teacher or principal. I met him through his volunteer work with the foundation and you. We talked a lot about education and teaching since my kids were teachers. I can only imagine he was loved and respected by his students as well as anyone else. I know you all will miss him and we will continue to pray for comfort peace for your family.
Kim and Mike Dawson
Art Taylor always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart! Thankful and blessed to have known him! Thoughts and prayers to his family..🕊️
when i was there. Here’s one thing I know I’ll never forget about him… that man could swing a paddle haha I heard
Rip Mr Taylor, may God bless the family with peace and comfort that surpasses all understanding. I’m sorry for your loss ❤️💔💕
So sorry about the loss of your dad, Andy. I always enjoyed talking with him. I will miss those conversations.
I worked with Art Taylor as a school counselor in the 1980’s at EHS. He was a kind and caring principal who wasn’t afraid to do anything that needed to be done. During one summer when moving to the new high school he brought his horse trailer to move books from the old library. Art was a leader, always willing to step forward to solve problems. He was also a good friend to my family and many others, always asking if he could help you. My heart aches in sorrow at his passing. Wanda and I pray for his family during this time of grief.
Art was a wonderful principle. Always gentle In his ways, and so patient. He was a principal at North Buncombe middle school for many years. He earned so much respect and admiration during that time. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.
Art was a wonderful principal at Erwin Middle where I taught who wanted the best for his students. He expected the best from his teachers and students. He was a fine man.
My condolences to Art’s family and friends. Art was my principal at NBMS. He was a kind and gentle man with a great sense of humor. An awesome leader who was supportive and there to help you in any way. I truly admired him. I am sorry I will be out of town and unable to attend his funeral. May God give Art eternal peace and bless those he loved.
Always enjoyed Art’s friendship during our school days and later as teacher/bus driver for our children at Sandhill elementary school. We know he will be missed by family and friends who cherish memories of good times.
Please accept my most sincere condolences. Art became my friend nearly seven decades ago when we enrolled as the first freshman class at the newly consolidated Enka High. He was our leader then and later as we graduated and continued to stay in touch as Alumni. I have always admired Art for his choosing the most noblest of professions, teaching and being good at it. He leaves a great legacy among hundreds of grateful students.
Over the years we kept in touch and I depended upon him for news of our class members. I will miss him.
Art was one of the finest educators I have known. He made a positive difference in his students through his competence and compassion. He was a wonderful and cherished colleague. Bill and I send our sympathies to his family and dear friend, Linda.
Mr. Taylor, as I called him then, was my principal and friend at Erwin Middle School. I found him to be a wonderful administrator and listener, and I am sure that those who loved and admired him will remember him as a bright light in our lives. Condolences to his family.
So sorry for your loss! Art Taylor was a fine man! Such a great friend to my Dad. I know
you will miss him so much! ! Praying for the family! Sincerely, Susan Poore Reid
Art was such a great, fun-loving southern gentleman who will be missed by all!
Art was a special man. He was such an asset to the choir and we all loved him as a person. I will always remember his duets with Gloria and his belting out a hymn to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun.”
Andy, Linda, and Family,
Art was a soft spoken and friendly man to everyone. Royce remembers him being his boss when he worked at the Enka shell during high school. I remember him when he allowed us parents to start up the PTSO at Enka HS to help the community bond together. We sat through many recent ballgames watching our grand children at Enka. May the Lord grace you with His comfort and peace during this time of your loss. We will see him again in heaven for our great reunion.
Our Love in Jesus,
Royce & Gwenda