News BREC Mourns Death of Commissioner

Baton Rouge, LouisianaFeb 18, 2016The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) is mourning the death of Commissioner John Taylor. Taylor was appointed to the BREC Commission in 2012 by the Metro Council and in his four years of service, missed only one Commission meeting.

Taylor served on numerous committees including Golf where he was appointed chairman, Human Resources, which he chaired in 2015 as well as Selection of Professionals and By-Laws. Taylor lived in Zachary and took a keen interest in projects slated for the northern part of the parish, although he advocated for high quality recreation activities parish-wide.

"The entire BREC team joins the Commission in mourning the death of John Taylor. He epitomized the role of public servant, volunteering his time to make the East Baton Rouge community a better place to live, work and play through his four years of service on the BREC Commission," said Carolyn McKnight. "As the chairman of the Golf Committee, John was instrumental in the creation of a new strategic plan which is improving maintenance of the courses and creating a more efficient operation. John was a friend and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Nancy, their two children and the entire Taylor family during this difficult time," said McKnight.
Taylor served his country in the Arkansas National Guard, United States Army and Army Reserve. "As a veteran, John championed events and projects for veterans across the parish," said McKnight. "He championed a Memorial Day event that BREC held at Independence Community Park and was the driving force behind a flag raising ceremony at BREC's administrative offices at Womack Park to dedicate a flag pole on the property."

A celebration of John Taylor's life will be held at Saturday, February 20 at First Baptist Church of Zachary at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. A graveside service will be held the following day in Crocketts Bluff, Arkansas. The BREC Commission will honor Taylor's service and memory with a moment of silence at its monthly meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 25.

Taylor's family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Zachary Regional Veterans Park at http://www.regionalveteranspark.org/donate-now/.