Obituary of Leon Parker Taylor

Leon Parker Taylor, 103, of Niles, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2019, at his home.

Leon Parker Taylor was born on April 12, 1916, to Caroline ‘Carrie’ Parker and John Granville Taylor in Lafayette, Indiana. In 1929, they came to Niles and rented a house on Barron Lake. While the rest of the family lived in Niles, Parker continued his education in Chicago.   In January 1932, Parker graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago at the age of 16.  He was a sexton for Calvin Center. Parker became a permanent resident of Niles in 1940 when he married Norma Finley. To this union a daughter, A. Carol Taylor-Fowler was born. In 1972 an exchange student, Esther Quaroopome, from Ghana came to live with them, they considered her a part of their extended family.

In 1942, Parker was hired as a garage attendant for Clark Equipment Company. Shortly afterward he was promoted to one of Clark’s executive chauffeurs. He retired from there after thirty-two years.

Parker was very involved in community activities. He was President of the Niles NAACP Chapter for twenty-five years. He also served on the Niles City Planning Commission. After his retirement, Parker started to bowl. He and his wife organized a Tuesday Senior Bowling League. He enjoyed bowling, and he continued bowling until he was a hundred and one. Prior to his death, Parker was able to roll the first ball in the City Tournament named in his and his wife’s honor.

Until his health began to fail, Parker was very active at the Franklin AME Church serving in many different capacities.

Parker leaves to continue his legacy, a daughter, A. Carol Taylor-Fowler; five grandchildren, Denise R. Taylor-Fowler, Linda M. (Terry) See; Lisa (Michael) Busby; Andrea L Gammage; and Earnest L. (Kathy) Fowler; seventeen great-grandchildren; thirteen great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Parker was preceded in death by his parents, Carrie and John G. Taylor; his wife Norma; sisters, Dora L. Taylor, Alice L. White, Martha Bass, and Kathleen Taylor; brothers, John Taylor and Austin Taylor.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at the Franklin AME Church in Niles, with a time of visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Memorial contributions in Parker’s memory may be made to the Carrie Parker Scholarship, Attn: Dina M. Kellams, Indiana University Archives, 1320 E. 10^th Street, Wells Library E460, Bloomington, IN  47405-7000.