Jacksonville – Frank Jeffrey Taylor, 83, of Jacksonville, North Carolina passed away on November 10, 2025, at Onslow Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 26, 1942, in Peoria, Illinois to the late Frank James Taylor and Elsie Hamilton Taylor. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his only sister, Donna McMahan.

He had a long full life with a wide variety of interests and professions over the years. With a great love of music, he began selling band instruments across the Midwest, then later managed a Bluegrass band, played multiple instruments and even took singing lessons. He became an attorney at law, then a magistrate in Ohio. He believed in lifelong learning and taught continuing education for North Carolina law enforcement along with other coursework. He was drawn to water and enjoyed boating, even refinishing a wood classic Chris Craft. He was a talented woodworker, making numerous cabinets and bookshelves. He taught himself how to reupholster furniture and to refurbish sewing machines. He had a great love of the Lord in later years and found a passion for writing devotions. He attended Faith Chapel Baptist Church. He had many friends and will be greatly missed by friends and family alike.

He is survived by his son, James "Jim" Taylor (Tresa); daughters, Lisa Taylor (Rico Johnson), Laura Hedges (David) and Amy Bauer (Vincent); stepchildren, Christopher Holm and Elizabeth Emery (Ted); 13 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Faith Chapel Baptist Church at 1:30pm Saturday, November 15th at 2080 Blue Creek Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540. Friends are encouraged to attend.