James Franklin Taylor

James Franklin Taylor, 75, of McKey, Oklahoma, was born on July 31, 1950, in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, to Charles Wayne Taylor and Bonnie Burrel (Beam) Taylor, and he passed away in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on July 15, 2026.

James’ roots in Sallisaw and the eastern McKey area shaped his character and spirit. Rather than take the scholarship he was offered as a  Sallisaw Black Diamond football player, after graduating in 1968, James chose to go to work and start a family. Over the years, he worked as a heavy equipment operator, a welder, a cattleman, and an over-the-road truck driver.

He is survived by his daughters, Toni Littleton of Moore, OK, and Sue Roberts of Greenwood, Arkansas; his sons, Justin Taylor of Moore, OK, and Michael Taylor of Blackwell, OK; his sister, Janet Coatney of Muldrow, OK; and his brother, Timothy Taylor of Stilwell, OK.

James was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Kenneth Wayne Taylor; his grandparents, Felix Taylor and Ralph Beam; his nephew, Jimmy Coatney; his brothers, Donnie Taylor and Dennis Taylor; and his brother-in-law, Roger Coatney.

There are no services planned for James. His family has entrusted arrangements to Forever Memories Funeral Services, Inc., 463505 Hwy 101, Sallisaw, OK, 74955.

James Franklin Taylor will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.