Friends are remembering Harry Taylor as a self-made businessman who used his success to support a wide variety of causes in Columbia, usually anonymously.
Mr. Taylor, 77, died Saturday, and services were at 10 a.m. Monday at Colonial Funeral Home.
A Columbia native, he graduated from Columbia High School in 1960. Mr. Taylor first worked with Penrod Oil Co. and then Brinson & Fortenberry Inc., primarily with the building materials department, and later bought the business and established Harry Taylor Discount Building Materials. He also started a home construction firm and developed several neighborhoods, including a large part of Popetown and the J&K subdivision.
Friends recalled him as a smart businessman and hard worker who was gung-ho in everything he did. He was associated with River Production Co., an oil drilling firm, and invested much of his returns into real estate holdings in Columbia.
Mr. Taylor also served a term as alderman-at-large, being elected in 1973. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. On one occasion, friends recalled, a woman was selling $10 chicken plates for the church; Mr. Taylor gave $2,000. That generosity was a hallmark.
“He was very generous in helping people, but he didn’t want to be given credit for it,” longtime friend Tommy McDaniel said. “He did it without seeking anything in return. We have no idea of all the people he helped.”
