Stillwater, Oklahoma - ALFRED L. TAYLOR (1931-2025)

Alfred Lonnie Taylor died unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Al (or A.L.) was 94 years old. Despite his age, Al remained mentally sharp and physically healthy until he suffered a medical event that quickly took his life.

Born on April 15, 1931, in Ashland, Oklahoma, to Johnnie (Jones) Taylor and Lonnie Taylor, Al spent his early years in Southeastern Oklahoma. The rural, hardworking people of Ashland, and nearby towns such as Stuart, not only helped form Al's work ethic and fortitude, but continued to be his "family" and bedrock for all of his 94 years, even though his many professional accomplishments took him to "big" cities in Oklahoma and elsewhere.

Al was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Mary Taylor Fairless, Julia Larue Taylor, and Lucille Taylor. Al is survived by his wife of almost 76 years, Jackie (Reese) Taylor.

Al graduated from Ashland High School in 1949. There, he played basketball and baseball and ran track. Al was the President of his Class for all four years.

Al was a full-time farmer for a couple of years and later worked as an auto mechanic at Tinker Air Force Base. Al then enlisted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged in 1954, having risen to the rank of Sergeant and being awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Al then pursued higher education. He graduated with a B.S. degree from Oklahoma State University in 1959 and later a master's degree from Kansas State College of Pittsburg (now Pittsburg State) in 1967.

After graduating from OSU, Al became a pioneer in the emerging industry of "data processing;" which at the time involved a newfangled piece of technology called an IBM machine.

In the 50s and 60s, Al was the Data Processing Supervisor at a federal nuclear plant in Idaho; and the Director of Data Processing at NEO in Miami, Oklahoma, and later at USAO in Chickasha.

In 1971, Al was hired as the Vice-President for Administrative Services for what was to become South Oklahoma City Junior College (later renamed to Oklahoma City Community College and known as OCCC). Al was one of the founding fathers of OCCC. He oversaw the initial construction of the school, and later served OCCC as the Interim President at 4 different times.

Al was a member of the Church of Christ in Perkins, Oklahoma. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, photography, and travel - as well as swapping stories about fishing, hunting, photography, and travel.

Jackie and Al retired to Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Al will be remembered at a reception at Strode Funeral Home in Stillwater, on Saturday, November 22, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a meal following at Legacy Village in Stillwater. The family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Village for their friendship and support of Al and their continued care and treatment for Jackie.

Although Jackie and Al were unable to have children of their own, it can be said with great confidence that their lifelong demonstration of devotion to one another and their extended family created a model for everyone and a legacy that will continue.