Leonard Fred Taylor Jr., a longtime Brownwood community member known for serving others through local organizations and church activities, has died at age 79. Taylor passed away in Bangs, Texas, on Wednesday, according to an obituary published by Brownwood News.
Heartland Funeral Cremations of Comanche is handling the funeral arrangements. The obituary says Taylor's body will lie in state on Thursday and Friday, October 1 and 2, 2025. The family is scheduled to receive friends from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026. A graveside service is set for 11 a.m. that day at the Gardens of Memory.
Brownwood connections
Taylor was born February 5, 1947, in May, Texas, to Leonard Fred Taylor Sr. and Mary Elizabeth McSwain Taylor. He attended school in Comanche and graduated from Comanche High School in 1968. He attended Southside Baptist Church in Brownwood.
His interests included serving people and witnessing for his faith. The obituary identifies the Senior Citizens Center, the Lyric Theater and Christmas service at the Run-Away Train among the places and activities connected to that service. He also enjoyed walking and wrestling.
Survivors and memorial donations
Taylor is survived by his sisters, Frida Drew and Alice Ripley, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Edward Taylor and Richard; sister Irmalee Towe and Barbara Martindale; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to Walker Cancer in Brownwood. The obituary was published by Brownwood News on September 25, 2026, and credited to Derrick Stuckly.