Carl Grant Taylor

Carl Grant Taylor, 92, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away Sunday, May 24, 2026. He was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on January 14, 1934 to Lewis Grant Taylor and Cordelia (Schulte) Taylor. He traveled the United States with his parents and brother, Charles, while their dad worked the pipelines. He graduated from Oktaha High School in 1953. Carl met the love of his life, Shirley Long, at Erma’s Drive Inn and the Blue Grill in 1955. They married in Muskogee, Oklahoma on June 29, 1957 and settled south of Muskogee where they raised three boys, Billy, Jeff, and Steve. Carl worked at Reed/Wagner Buick for 24 years. He then went to Muskogee Indian Capitol Vo-Tech where he taught diesel mechanics and auto body repair for 17 years. He retired from teaching in 1995. Carl loved to sing. He started singing in a quartet at the age of 16. He sang in 4 different quartet groups for 65 years! They traveled all over the state of Oklahoma singing gospel music at many churches. He had the best base voice you’ve ever heard. Carl was a devoted family man whose greatest joy was his children and all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of whom he was deeply proud. He loved the Lord wholeheartedly. He cherished the simple blessings in life; caring for his cattle, tending to his homestead, and working with his hands. He was known for his loyalty, kindness, and generous spirit. He had an ornery streak that kept everyone on their toes and a sense of humor that could make a room burst into laughter. Above all, he will be remembered for his loving heart, strong faith, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. His legacy of faith, laughter, hard work, generosity, and living a full life will live on in all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Taylor and Cordelia Taylor; and his brother, Charles Taylor. Carl is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley; his children, Billy Taylor and wife Kristi, Jeffrey Taylor and wife Donna, Steve Taylor and wife Dawn; grandchildren, Kelsey Martinez, Kyle Taylor, Justin Taylor, Dustin Taylor, Dallie Lovett, Dually Taylor, Dawson Keeton, Denym Serna, Leslie Lester, and Wes Lester; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who loved him dearly. A celebration of Carl’s life will be at 3PM, Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Danny Barks officiating. Interment will follow at Brushy Mountain Cemetery with Justin Taylor, Dusty Taylor, Kyle Taylor, Edward Martinez, Dually Taylor, and Gunner Taylor serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Hager, Mitchell Smith, Wendell Davis, Don Cash, Darwin Tackett, and Aaron Jones.

Carl Grant Taylor

January 14, 1934 - May 24, 2026