Dr. James Addison Taylor

Dr. James “Jim” Addison Taylor, 93, of Franklin, Indiana, formerly of Crossville, Tennessee, passed away Monday August 10, 2026. He was born November 24, 1932, in Sydney, Ohio, the only child of Henry Clay Taylor and Beulah Idella (Dunson) Taylor. He grew up in Canton, Ohio and graduated from Lehman High School in 1950. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University in 1954, a Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois in 1956, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Illinois in 1962.

Jim married Dorothy Irene (Roberts) Taylor on October 2, 1960, in Bowling Green, OH. Dorothy preceded him in death on July 1, 2006.A lifelong educator and administrator, Jim began his career as an instructor of geography at Bowling Green State University from 1960 – 1962. 

He then served as an assistant professor at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, from 1963 to 1969. From 1969 to 1976, he was Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Alfred University in Alfred, New York. He continued his career at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, service as Vice-President and Dean of Faculty from 1976 to 1989). He retired from McKendree University (formerly McKendree College) in Lebanon, Illinois, in 1992, where he served as Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College. In 1993, he was honored by North Central College with the distinction of Dean Emeritus. In a meaningful connection across generations, Jim worked with a faculty member at McKendree who later became Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Franklin College, where Jim’s daughter Kathy followed in her father’s footsteps and became a professor.

Following retirement, he and his wife, Dorothy, moved to Fairfield Glade, Tennessee, on a golf course. Following that, they lived for many years in the retirement community now known as The Preserve (formerly The Glade). Retirement did little to slow his passion for teaching and community service. He established a Lifetime Learning Community and taught a course called “Tennessee Around Us”, which quickly became a favorite and was consistently well-attended. He also established the Resident Council for The Glade and developed its' constitution and bylaws.

Jim especially enjoyed bringing people together. He led a weekly current-events group where he loved discussing presidents, politics, and the stories making headlines. He also established and managed the Movie Committee for The Glade, selecting the weekly movie and making sure they included what he affectionally called “chick flicks” for the women.

Jim was a long-time member of Fairfield Glade Community Church, where he served in many roles. He was also a long-time member of Rotary International, most recently with the Fairfield Glade Rotary Club. He served as club president and received the Paul Harris Award. He wrote the weekly Rotary newsletter, which earned several awards.

Jim will be remembered as an avid sports fan, especially of the Cleveland Browns and the University of Tennessee Volunteers. He was also an enthusiastic golfer and was thrilled to record a hole-in-one at the age of 69. He loved fishing with his dad in Canada during his youth and later enjoyed annual fishing trips with his family. He also loved playing bridge and other card games, camping, and traveling throughout the United States and abroad.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Kathy Remsburg (Cole), of Trafalgar, Indiana; three grandchildren, Nick Remsburg (Emily), of Monrovia, Indiana; Jayden Remsburg (Kendra), of Greenwood, Indiana; and Nolan Remsburg (Sara), of Franklin, Indiana; and his great-grandchildren, Madison and Andrew Remsburg and Cameron Remsburg, and a fourth great-grandchild eagerly anticipated by the family.

He will also be greatly missed by his special friend, Claire Spangler, of Fairfield Glade,Tennessee. Claire fondly remembered their first date, when Jim confidently touted his golf game – only to have Claire beat him. One of their favorite activities together was attending plays at the Cumberland County Playhouse, where Jim had been a season ticket holder for more than 20 years.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dorothy, and his daughter Janice Taylor,who passed away June 24, 2015.

Jim devoted his life to education, learning, service, and bringing people together. Whether he was teaching a class, leading a discussion, organizing a community activity, writing a newsletter, playing a round of golf, or simply sharing a story, he had a way of making people feel involved and welcome. Jim’s curiosity, humor, generosity, and lifelong love of learning touched the lives of all who knew him. His warmth and wisdom will be remembered with gratitude, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 4:00 – 6:00pm at The Willard, 99 North Main Street, Franklin, IN 46131. A second celebration of life and inurnment will take place at a later date at the Columbarium behind Fairfield Glade Community Church in Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fairfield Glade Rotary Club, 455 Lakeview Drive, Crossville, TN 38558 or the Cumberland County Playhouse, 221 Tennessee Ave, Crossville, TN 38555. Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street), Franklin, Indiana is handling arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com . For information, call 317-738-0202.

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