James Patrick Taylor of Canton, Ohio, formerly of Holy Cross, passed to eternal life on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Canton, OH due to a heart attack, with his son by his side. Jim “Smokey” was born on March 15, 1951 at Xavier Hospital in Dubuque, IA, the 11th of twelve children of Francis and Dorothy (Rea) Taylor.

Jim graduated from Leo High School in Holy Cross in 1969, and worked a variety of heavy-duty construction jobs all over the country.  Jim married Marie Louise Gagne on July 11, 1991. Marie passed away on February 15, 2010.

Jim is survived by his son, Dylan (Sammie), of Cedar Rapids.  He is also survived by one brother, Paul (Sue) of Zwingle; five sisters, Mary Kahle of Dubuque, Helen (Scotty) Thomas of San Francisco, Jane (Ken) Rausch of Knoxville, Bridget (Robert) Kluesner of Owatonna, and Patricia (Michael) Thies of Peosta; sisters-in-laws, Mary Taylor of Dubuque, Lois Taylor of Dyersville, Karol Taylor of Marshalltown, Barb Taylor of Holy Cross.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Marie, his parents, Francis and Dorothy Taylor, his wife’s parents, Oscar and Mildred Eaton Gagne and brothers & in-laws: Ray & Joan, Frank, Charles, Joseph, and John Taylor, and Wayne Kahle and nephew Zack Taylor.

Services to be announced.