Danny Seals Taylor

Daniel Seals Taylor

November 13, 1938 - May 30, 2026

Mr. Daniel Seals Taylor, affectionately known to everyone as "Danny" or "Pop," age 87, passed away peacefully in Mobile, Alabama on May 30, 2026.

A private family service be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with burial immediately following at Oddfellow Cemetery in Irvington, Alabama.

A Life of Adventure and Hard Work

Danny was born on November 13, 1938, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Daniel Farley Taylor and Mildred Burnette Taylor. He spent his early childhood in the Atlanta area. Because his father worked as a skilled brick mason, the family traveled frequently during Danny's youth, living in Baltimore, Maryland, and Las Vegas, Nevada, before eventually settling in St. Augustine, Florida. It was there that the family entered the seafood business, a venture that ultimately brought them to Bayou La Batre, Alabama in 1954. Danny went on to graduate in 1956 from Alba High School where he met his wife, Joanne and began his family and career in the Bayou.

From an early age, Danny shared a deep passion for race cars with his father and brother. Together, they spent years building and rebuilding cars, and Danny loved the thrill of racing at the Biloxi Dragway. A sport he gave up the day he asked Joanne to marry him.

Danny was an incredibly industrious man. After departing the seafood business, he worked alongside his father and uncle building tugboats. He worked from the ground up on tugboats becoming the first person in the Mobile Coast Guard District to receive a small boat license required to operate a vessel carrying more than six passengers. These experiences led them to establish their own push boat business, Taylor Towing Company, which he successfully operated until his retirement in 2006. Even in retirement, Danny's tireless work ethic never waned; he kept busy buying and selling heavy equipment.

A Legacy of Devotion and Integrity

Shortly after retirement in 2009, Danny took on the role that his family is most proud of. Following a massive stroke that left his beloved wife, Joanne, unable to fully care for herself, Danny became her devoted caretaker. He served Joanne with unwavering dedication, passion, and love, doing whatever it took to ensure she had the tools for therapy and anything she needed to help maintain the beautiful quality of life they had always enjoyed together.

Danny was a man of simple pleasures and brilliant intellect. He loved to "piddle," put things together, and fix anything with a flaw or broken until the last week of his life. An avid reader of history, he was entirely self-educated far beyond his high school years. Above all, Danny was a man of absolute integrity and honor. He believed that a handshake was better than any written contract, that his "yes meant yes" and his "no meant no." He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and gave generously of his time and effort to his family and friends. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bayou La Batre.

Family

Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Farley Taylor and Mildred Burnette Taylor, and his brother, Richard Onwan Taylor all of Irvington.

He leaves behind a rich legacy of love and is survived by:

• His beloved wife of 65 years: Helen Joanne Johnson Taylor

• His children: Daniel Mark Taylor of Mobile, AL; Julie Taylor Autrey (Daniel) of Greenville, AL; and Chris Ilan Taylor (Monica) of Dauphin Island, AL.

• His grandchildren: Daniel Leigh Taylor; Joseph Lance Taylor (Rayne) of Spring Hill, FL; Chase Andrew Taylor (Cheyenne) of Irvington, AL; Taylor Autrey Clayton (Jeff Roman) of Greenville, AL; and Daniel Hall Autrey, Jr. of Asheville, NC.

• His great-grandchildren: Layla Ann Taylor, Jozey Christian Taylor of Spring Hill, FL, Jeff Roman Clayton V, Henry James Clayton of Greenville, AL, and Maelyn Ruth Taylor of Irvington, AL.

• Caretaker: Amber Seward who patiently assisted Danny and Joanne for the past two and half years to help ensure they could remain in the comfort of their home.

• Extended Family: Nieces, and nephews, as well as numerous cousins who reside in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 12700 Padgett Switch Road, Irvington, AL 36544.