Taylor, O. Jay

O. Jay Taylor, 86, of Iowa City, died peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at his home. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for streets near the church.)

Oren Jay Taylor was born Oct. 19, 1924, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Edward E. and Leona P. (Petro) Taylor. Following graduation from high school he served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater. After the war he married Genevieve Buess on June 6, 1946, in Cedar Rapids.

In 1956, the couple moved to Iowa City, where Jay worked for Procter & Gamble for over 20 years. After leaving Procter & Gamble, OJ and Genny opened Taylor's Woodshop on Prairie du Chien Road. They specialized in clocks, furniture and assorted fine wood products, spending 15 years doing craft shows to share their work with others.

He had a passion for travel and took every opportunity to explore all corners of the U.S. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Iowa City.

Jay's family includes his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Amanda Taylor of Idyllwild, Calif.; grandchildren, Helen Taylor and her husband, Matt Reimert, of San Francisco, Calif., Joy Larsen of Eustis, Neb., and Todd Larsen of Chicago; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ann and Mike Denton of Brandon, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Genevieve in 2007; and their daughter, Ann Larsen in 2001.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to First United Methodist Church of Iowa City.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Jay's family at this time.