J Taylor

Taylor is a 1985 graduate of Purcell High School and is the son of the late Dr. Jack Taylor and Judy Taylor (Eastin). He is the brother of fellow 2018 PHS Hall of Fame inductee, Jill Taylor Mitchell.

He lives in Flower Mound, Texas with his wife, Staci, of 25 years. J. and Staci have two sons, Jack, 22, and Nick, 18. J. currently serves as assistant fire chief at the Irving Fire Department and supervises over 360 personnel from 12 fire stations. He has served 23 years at the city’s fire department.

During his high school career at PHS, J. Taylor was a two sport All-State athlete, four-year basketball letterman, four-year track letterman, and three-year football letterman. He led the Dragons to two consecutive state quarterfinal births. He led the state in passing his senior year amassing more than 2,160 yards and 18 touchdowns. Taylor’s other high school accomplishments include: 1984 Elected to the Oklahoma Coaches Association 2A All-State football team

Recognized quarterback in Tulsa World 1984 Football All-State Team and Daily Oklahoman Little All City QB

Awarded the District 2A-6 Offensive Player of the Year

Received the U.S. Army Reserve Oklahoma Male Scholar Athlete of the Year

1985 member of the State Track Championship team

Earned All-State as a state track champion in the 4x800 meter relay

After high school Taylor received two associate degrees from Tyler Junior College while playing quarterback for the Apaches. He led the team to a national No. 2 ranking in the Junior College Rose Bowl.

Taylor furthered his career by attending the University of Tulsa where he played quarterback primarily in red zone and short yardage situations and was special teams captain for the Golden Hurricane in 1987 and 1988.

In 1989, he was offered a starting quarterback position at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. At SWOSU he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry in addition to leading the Bulldogs to a national No. 5 ranking. While at the university he earned:

First Team Academic All-Conference QB in the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (OIC)

In 1989, he earned Honorable Mention Academic All-American honors

In 1990, he was a member of the OIC championship 4x400 meter relay with a personal best split of 47.8 seconds.

Taylor has been a football official since 1995 and currently officiates in the Southeastern Conference.

He most recently worked the 2018 Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium between Ohio State and Southern California. Additionally, he has worked as field judge in the Southland Conference (2002-2005),

Western Athletic Conference (2005-06), and Big 12 Conference (2006-13).

J. is extremely honored and proud to be inducted into the PHS Athletic Hall of Fame. His accomplishments are truly a mere reflection of the Dragon Pride displayed by his coaches, teammates and the entire Dragon community. J. is humbled to be inducted with so many of his childhood heroes.

He is especially proud to be inducted alongside one of his biggest heroes, his “Big Sis” Jill Taylor Mitchell (‘82).