James Edward Taylor, Jim to many, Jimmy to some and J.T. to his golfing buddies, lost his brave battle with cancer on Nov. 30, 2006. Jim was born on Feb. 28, 1946, in Neosho, Mo., to Dr. L.T. and Norma Taylor. Jim shared 18 years of marriage with his best friend and beautiful bride, Marianne Taylor. Through this marriage a close-knit group of friends became a loving family. Jim grew up in Neosho, enjoying all the benefits of small town. He enjoyed playing baseball, riding horses, swimming and fishing. He loved spending summers with his grandparents in Exeter, Mo., and long weeks at Table Rock Lake with his parents and sister. Jim left the University of Arkansas to volunteer for service with the United States Navy in Vietnam. He was transferred to the Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division as a hospital corpsman. While serving on the front lines, Jim was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal and the Purple Heart for Meritorious and courageous service. Jim loved golf, especially the time he spent with friends at the Neosho Golf Course. He served on the Neosho Golf Board from 1987 to 2002. He was on a first name basis with every tee box, fairway and green at the Neosho course. Jim enjoyed the constant pursuit of a better game. Another love in his life was Table Rock Lake. He spent countless sunlit days exploring the coves and clear water of the lake while fishing, skiing or just relaxing with close friends and familt. Jim was proud of having established, owned and operated a successful residential appraisal service. He never met a stranger, was quick to make friends and always went out of his way to help anyone in need no matter who they were. He had a genuine love for life as his loyal friends know. He continued to make friends up until the very end and many of his health care providers grew to love him as well. His family members who will always love him are his wife, Marianne Taylor; his sister, Cindy and husband, Cary Norman and their children, Jason Norman and his wife, Mya and Hailey Norman; his daughter, Cynthia Taylor and her daughters, Dacia, Amber and Ashley and his great-grandchild, Nikia; his daughter, Mary Jane and husband, Lance Norris and their children, Ashley, Riley and Allison; his son, Max Dunham and wife, Robyn and their children, Mace and Peri; his son, Dan Dunham and wife, Wendy and their son, Dax. The body has been taken for cremation and a memorial service will be announced at a later date.