Biography: The world lost a remarkable man on Monday, September 01, 2008, when Joel Abram Taylor, of Little Rock, died at UAMS. He was an international businessman, an entrepreneur, inventor, writer, bon vivant, self-described ‘fitness freak’ and legendary story-teller. Joel flew P-38s during World War II and jets at the onset of the Korean War; he continued to serve his country as a Cold Warrior and was an avid analyst of geopolitics throughout his life. In 1972, Joel was a consultant to First National Bank for Europe when he suggested that a first class European restaurant be the capstone of its planned new building at Capitol and Broadway. He then put together an international staff to open Restaurant Jacques and Suzanne. That operation eventually spawned more than a dozen fine restaurants in Little Rock. As a multilingual American, he was always comfortable with other citizens of the world. After attending graduate school in Austria, Joel became personnel director for Radio Liberty in Munich, Germany, where he worked with many Russian defectors to counteract Soviet propaganda. He then moved to Madrid, Spain, as procurement and government relations specialist for the Spanish American Base program. Joel had graduated from Harvard (where he learned to row a scull on the Charles River) in 1950, then lived and worked in several European countries, North Africa, the Middle East and Moscow and couldn’t understand why there was no rowing on the Arkansas River. He has been credited with the idea to renew the Arkansas Boathouse Club and was an Emeritus Member of the Board. His career included work as government relations coordinator and business development specialist for Bechtel Corporation in Algeria and the Royal Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he established international manufacturing and marketing bases in Saudi and the Arab Emirates. In 2007 Joel was honored as an “Amazing Spirit” by Baptist Health in part for his efforts to promote fitness at his alma mater, Catholic High School, and for having established the St. Nicholas of Myra Trust, which acquired used but useable medical equipment to furnish a pediatric clinic in Moscow for the children victims of Chernobyl. In 1992, almost 90 tons of computers and medical equipment were delivered to Moscow by plane from Little Rock and St. Louis. Joel is survived by his wife, Mary Dee Taylor; a son, Kim Taylor of Boston; daughters Brandy Taylor and Shawn Scherer of Vineyard Haven, MA; stepson, Matthew Terry (Allison) of Tampa; stepdaughter, Cathy Marshall (Chris) of St. Louis, and six grandchildren. A celebration of his extraordinary life will be held Friday September 5th at 5 pm at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History; 503 E 9th Street, Little Rock AR 72202. Arrangements are being handled by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com In Lieu of flowers contributions should be made to the Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys; 6105 Father Tribou St, Little Rock AR 72205.
Although he left the family which included my mother, his wife, my brother Kim and my sister Brandy, in the early 70's, the scars he left behind are still deep.My father was an active alcoholic for many years and reigned our home with an iron fist as well as leather belts, tree branches, and on a few occasions a gun. I do believe that it was the untreated alcoholism along with his own traumatic childhood that led him to do the things he did. He lost many jobs and counted on his father in-law to support the family when he could not. It is important for me to right this after reading the sentiments left by people who knew him in a different context.