Carl E. Taylor

Carl Erskin Taylor, 71, passed away on October 20, 2026, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on December 4, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, to the late G.W. and Shirley Taylor.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gill Taylor; and his nephew, Dusty Taylor.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores Diaz Taylor; his children, Amanda Taylor of Benton, Arkansas; Matthew Taylor and his wife, Chasity, of Little Rock, Arkansas; Jamie Murrell and her husband, Chris, of Alexander, Arkansas; Robyn Taylor of Conway, Arkansas; and Grant Taylor of Paron, Arkansas. He is also survived by a very special niece, Hope Yielding, and her husband, Michael, of Paron, Arkansas; his sister, Portia Orme, and her husband, Larry, of Paron, Arkansas; his brother, Sandy Taylor, and his wife, Laurie, of Dover, Arkansas; and his stepchildren, Gennie Diaz and her husband, Ben Hall, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Ashley Diaz of Spring City, Pennsylvania; and Robert Davis and his wife, Rebecca, of Conway, Arkansas. Carl also leaves behind 17 grandchildren, each of whom brought him immense pride and joy.

Carl was raised at Lake Winona in Paron, Arkansas, and was a proud 1973 graduate of Paron High School. During his time there, he earned numerous awards and recognitions as the point guard for the Paron Lions basketball team. His love for the game continued long after graduation when he became a volunteer coach for the school's Pee Wee basketball program. More than teaching young athletes the fundamentals of the sport he loved, Carl mentored them and served as an influential role model, providing guidance and a strong fatherly presence to many who needed it. He also coached his own son's team to three consecutive undefeated seasons and helped develop some of the finest athletes ever to come out of the program.

Carl was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 36 and spent more than 40 years in the trade, working for companies including Little Rock Sheet Metal, Bray, and Custom Sheet Metal.

Above all, Carl was known as an avid outdoorsman and a founding member of the 24 K Hunting Club in Paron. Deer hunting was his first love, but he was never one to be too particular about what he hunted. If it happened to cross his path or show up on one of his game cameras, there was a good chance he would be ready to pursue it. He also loved fishing and turkey hunting, always looking for the next “big one.”

As much as Carl loved the hunt, nothing made him prouder than seeing one of his grandchildren get the big one instead. Those moments were even more special when he was part of the story—which, more often than not, was the case. For Carl, the greatest memories were not simply about what he brought home, but about the time spent outdoors, the stories created, and the memories shared with the people he loved.

Carl also enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and the friendships that made those moments special. He will be sorely missed around the baggo boards, where his competitive spirit and love of the game made him a memorable part of every gathering.

He also looked forward to the monthly bingo games, where he and Dee seemed to have a knack for winning at least one door prize every time. Carl also loved spending the day on Lake Ouachita aboard his party barge, surrounded by friends and family, making lasting memories with those he loved.

Carl had a way of sharing his country wisdom, colorful sayings, and unmistakable sense of humor with those around him, including his beloved wife, Dee. His words, laughter, and larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression on the people fortunate enough to know him.

More than anything, Carl took immense pride in his family. He raised five strong, independent children, each carrying a part of his spirit and character in their own unique way. Nothing brought him greater joy than seeing those same qualities reflected in his grandchildren. Of all the things Carl leaves behind, his greatest legacy is the family he raised, the strength he helped build within them, and the love that will carry his spirit forward for generations to come.

In a community where generations grow up together and neighbors become family, Carl was more than a familiar face—he was a friend, a mentor, a teammate, and a part of the fabric that held the community together. His steadfast presence touched lives in countless ways, and his legacy lives on in the friendships he cherished, the memories he created, and the family and community he loved so deeply.

Paron will not be the same without him, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him and counting him as their friend.