Nicholas “Nick” J. Taylor

Nick was a simple man, with a simple plan. He was hard not to love. He will be remembered as a man with a quiet inner strength, whose heart was filled with a profound and endless dignity. He will be remembered as a man who nurtured the deep love that he held for his family and the sincere deep admiration he had for his friends. He made friends easily and held those relationships in high esteem. He had a special rapport with all children, especially his own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It excited him to share his knowledge with all who asked. He was quick to help those less fortunate and appreciated people with a great work ethic, especially those with punctuality. Born September 30, 1932, Nick grew up in Wendel, W.V., a small mining town. He worked in various jobs at a very early age: picking apples, milking cows, detasseling corn, oiling a mining excavator, and attending a gas station. He joined the Army in 1950 during the Korean Conflict and earned the rank of Sergeant First Class. Before being discharged in 1953, he had a special pen pal for two years, Karleen Muller, whom he married in 1954, a union that lasted 69 years and produced 4 children. After attending Baton Rouge Trade school, he became a journeyman electrician and later became a commercial and industrial electrical contractor in the Baton Rouge area. Nick retired at the age of 48, fulfilling his dreams for volunteering (as a fireman, a softball coach and as a National Park Service volunteer for 25+ years), travelling the country in the motorcoach he converted and delighting in the joys of his 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. In addition to his own children, he considered his sons-in-law and daughters-in-law as his own and made sure to make lasting memories with each, individually and as a group.

We know he found something redeeming in taking nearly nothing, and, with only his hands, heart and time, making something beautiful and lasting. On March 31, 2023, he was surrounded by his loving wife and children as he died peacefully.

He is survived by his wife, Karleen M. Taylor; son’s wife, Denise Taylor; daughter and her husband, Karen and Gerry deBarros; son and his wife, Larry and Julie Taylor; and daughter, Lynette Pique. He is also survived by grandchildren: Trevor Taylor (Julie), Chase Taylor, Jeremy deBarros, Dr. Sean deBarros, Michael deBarros (Jenna), Taylor deBarros (Sophia), Chad Taylor (Grace), Michelle Glenn, Renee Taylor, Niki Clarke (Dallas), Scott Gaudin and Garrett Pique (Haley); and great-grandchildren: Ella Taylor, Nicholas Taylor, Price deBarros, Roman deBarros, Baron deBarros, Jayce deBarros, Kynlee deBarros, Kayden deBarros, Adley deBarros, Declan deBarros, Audrey deBarros, Jonah Taylor, Makayla Snow, Ellie Hunt, Sydney Clarke, Norah Pique; a sister, Jenny Honshul; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his mother, Retha M. Kampas, and father, Fotios Zorzopis (alias Nicholas Taylor), he will re-unite in heaven with his son, Charles “Chuck” Taylor; son-in-law, Warren Pique; and siblings Viola Melnyk, Jack Taylor, Rosalie Kerns, Katherine Preston, George Taylor and Leo Kampas.

A memorial service will be held at Louisiana National Cemetery, 303 West Mt. Pleasant Road, Zachary, LA on Thursday, April 20 beginning at 11 a.m.