John Taylor Jr.

John Ervin Taylor Jr., 86, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, at the Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Monday, July 23, 1923, in Loretta, Tenn., to John E. and Odessa Springer Taylor Sr. He and Mattie May were married June 10, 1942. She preceded him in death Nov. 25, 2002.

Taylor served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European, African and Middle Eastern theaters and the Battle of the Bulge.

He received an associate degree in accounting from St. Louis University. He was the financial officer for the building of the first Busch Stadium and surrounding properties. He was senior vice president and treasurer of the Civic Center Redevelopment Corp. from 1962 to 1992.

Mr. Taylor moved from St. Louis to the veterans home in 2006.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie Taylor of St. Louis, Johnnie Doyel and husband Ross of Henderson, Nev.; a brother, A.D. Taylor and wife Marge of Long Beach, Miss.; a sister, Barbara Martin and husband Norman of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Patricia, John Ross and Eric Doyel of Henderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, and from 10 a.m. to service time Friday at John L. Ziegenhein and Sons Funeral Home, 4830 Lemay Ferry Road in St. Louis.

The funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Ziegenhein funeral home, with the Rev. Ross Doyel officiating. Burial will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Activities Department at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.