Charles T. "Tom" Taylor, 91, of Jacksonville, Illinois, died December 3, 2025, Surrounded by his family at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital.

Tom was born in Champaign on April 15, 1934, the son of Harold L. and Audrey (Dodds) Taylor. He graduated from Champaign High School in 1952. Tom married Marilyn Ruth Shaw on November 26, 1960, in Champaign, after they had graduated from Eastern Illinois University in June of that year. She preceded him in death on March 16, 2017.

He is survived by one daughter, Sarah Taylor (Chris) Cook; granddaughter, Taylor Cook; and grandson, Braxton Cook of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Tom had a lot of joys in his life, his greatest joys though were his grandchildren, Taylor and Braxton. He loved attending their sporting events and the endless conversations of school, sports, and life lessons.

Tom served in the United States Marine Corps with the 3rd Marine Division FMF during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in June of 1956.

He was a 60+ year member of the Western Star Lodge #240 in Champaign, a 32nd Degree Mason in Scottish Rite, Valley of Danville, Ansar Shrine in Springfield, and the Royal Order of Jesters Court 20.

After graduation with a bachelor's degree in business management from Eastern Illinois University, he worked for Country Mutual Insurance for two years in St. Charles/Geniva, Illinois. Tom joined the Illinois Power Company for 33 years, working in Decatur, Jacksonville, Champaign, Decatur again, back to Jacksonville, and then finally in Danville where he retired as Service Area Manager in 1995.

Tom always enjoyed working with young ball players. After the service, Tom coached a Little League Team in Champaign until he graduated from EIU. In Jacksonville, he was a board member and managed a team in the Pony/Colt League, and a boys' team in Champaign. In Decatur he was a board member and managed a young man's team in the Northwest Leagues for 7 years

Tom dedicated himself to many clubs and organizations over the years. He was a past Director and President-elect of the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club; member of the Jacksonville/Champaign Chamber of Commerce board; served as President of the Illinois Self Insured Association in 1987 and 1988; a member of the Illinois Industrial Commission Advisory Board; Served on the Jacksonville Country Club Board of Directors; and Director on the Prairieland United Way Board and Co-chair of the 1990 Fundraiser in Jacksonville. He also served as Director for Vermillion County United Way, Vermillion County Red Cross, Danville Balloon Classic, Danville Area Economic Development Corporation, Danville Industrial Park Corporation, Vermillion County and Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation.

Cremation rites have been administered; there will be a private family burial at Camp Butler National Cemetery at a later date with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.