Norman G. Taylor

Norman Gail Taylor, 85, of Overton, Nebraska, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Mother Hull Home in Kearney. 

He was born on April 23, 1939, in his grandparents' home at Broadwater, Ne. Norm was the first born of the 4 children of John J. & Charline M. (Bruner) Taylor. His early years were spent on the families sandhills ranch, attending the Antelope Hills District 151 country school 9 miles NE of Broadwater.

 The family moved to Miller in 1952 after he completed 8th grade. He was a creative & Brillant photographer & writer beginning an apprenticeship with his uncle Clyde Taylor at the Dawson County Herald during the summers of the 1950s. He learned skills on the linotype and press finding his strength in words, sales and photography. While wishing to date Polly Heath in Overton after the family relocated in 1955, he stopped by the Overton Observer /print shop to call on her being put to work by his future mother-in-law. He graduated Overton High School with the class of 1956. He was awarded a Regents scholarship to UNL, majoring in journalism, minor history, with a part-time job at the Journal Star. On August 13, 1957, he married Polly Ann Heath at the Overton Methodist Church. Their daughter Gail was born June 19, 1958.

 In 1960 he was diagnosed with a brain tumor & agreed to an experimental brain surgery that he was told he would not survive by Dr. Gogella at UNMC. When he survived the surgery, he was to be a lifelong skilled nursing patient that Polly decided to try to care for him at home. Upon recovery he went to work at the Dawson County Herald until obtaining employment as sports information director at UNO. “Always have a goal to aim for” was a lifelong motto. He wanted to obtain his bachelor's degree and began studying and working his higher learning at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces in the sports information department. He transferred to N.M. Highland University graduating from there in 1968.

 In May of 1968 the family moved to 6415 Parker Street in Omaha where he was a night reporter for the Omaha World Herald. In 1970, Norm & Polly decided to purchase The Overton Observer & Elm Creek Beacon from Blair & Mildred Heath. Many changes transpired over the next 4 years combining the 2 legal papers into the Voice of the Fort Kearny Conference. The paper was sold to Bob Jensen of Central City on June 1, 2009.

 Norm always believed in strong community involvement, enrichment and civic duty. He served on many boards including The Elm Creek JayCees, Lions Club, and Overton Boy Scouts, but his passion for life was baseball especially American Legion Baseball which he started in Overton in the 1970’s later combining many of the conference towns to get SEEMO to the Bandits. He worked hard and played hard. He stayed involved with baseball scheduling until a couple weeks before his death.

 He humbly gave God the glory for successes and never faltered in his faith that God was with him regardless of outcome.

 Norman was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother John Taylor, sister-in-law Kay Taylor.

 He is survived by his daughter Gail (Paul) Johnson of Stockville; grandson Jason (Maggie) Potter of Cambridge; great-grandson Quade Potter of Alva, Okla.; great-granddaughter GeorgeJayna Potter; brother James (Monica) Taylor of Savanna, TN; sister Charline Harris of Broadwater; nephews & nieces; cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Westmark Church near Loomis, Nebraska with Pastor Ryan Thies, officiating.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 3-5 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

Interment will be at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Overton Cemetery near Overton.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com