Mark Taylor

MARK WILLIAM TAYLOR

 Mark William Taylor went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 16, 2025, in Roswell, New Mexico. He finished his race with unwavering faith, leaving behind a legacy of steadfast devotion to Christ, selfless love for his family, and a life marked by honor and service.

Mark was born October 30, 1966, in the Village of Warsaw, New York. He lived in upstate New York with his loving parents, William and Sherrie Taylor, until age 7, when they moved to Denton, TX. He graduated from Denton High School in 1984, then attended McMurry University in Abilene, TX, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BBA in Accounting in 1988. It is also where he met Kelly Denise Long, the love of his life and the person God so carefully chose for him. After a beautiful courtship of three years, they married in Abilene, TX, December 16, 1989. In 1991, he received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law and shortly after was licensed to practice law in New Mexico, and then Texas.

Mark and Kelly moved to Roswell, NM, in 1991, where Mark worked as an attorney for Sanders, Bruin, Coll & Worley. Then in 1995, he joined Bassett & Copple. He started his own law firm, Mark W. Taylor & Associates, PC, in 2000. He was a general practitioner with a focus on estate planning, probate, and adoption matters. His law career spanned nearly 34 years, based on mutual trust and respect with his clients. He had a heart for children who needed good homes, and one of his most passionate legal endeavors was facilitating adoptions. He helped many children join loving families throughout his career. He served his clients well, always crediting God for his success and accomplishments..

Building a worthy legal practice was important to Mark, but it paled in comparison to his relationship with God and the extraordinary love he shared with Kelly. As a husband, Mark lived out Ephesians 5:25, cherishing and honoring Kelly with unwavering devotion. He was relentlessly thoughtful, always putting her needs before his own. Every anniversary, he planned a surprise getaway for her, sharing only how to pack, delighting in creating meaningful memories together. For over 35 years, their favorite place was not a destination, but each other—often found dancing in the living room to Lionel Richie songs, wrapped in love and laughter. Their marriage was a testimony of God’s design, a sacred bond built on faith, friendship, and a deep, abiding love.

They were blessed with two beautiful children, Christopher and Alison, through whom his spirit shines brightly. Many of Christopher's favorite memories with his father involved sports and athletics of various kinds. Whether they were playing one on one in the driveway, throwing batting practice before games, watching college football or chasing big game animals across New Mexico public lands, they were always having fun together. Mark always reminded Christopher how to honor the Lord in both the wins and losses of life. Alison’s childhood was filled with memories of bike rides, culinary lessons on the best method to make popcorn and many father-daughter dates. Mark took seriously the call to lead his family in faith. His legacy continues through their lives and the lives of his grandchildren.

Mark was a very involved and devoted member of Christ Church in Roswell. He loved giving his time to people and spreading the love of Christ. He participated in numerous mission trips throughout his life, starting in childhood with the Methodist Youth Fellowship into adulthood with Christ’s Church. One of his favorite trips was serving at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia with Youth With a Mission.

Mark was a sports enthusiast, an outdoorsman, and an avid cyclist, and greatly enjoyed fellowship with his cycling buddies. He spent countless hours coaching his kids’ teams in sports leagues and at Gateway Christian School. Kelly once said if he could fit into a tutu, he would have "coached" ballet for his daughter. He was fiercely competitive and loved playing games. He was always up for a good game of Spades, but more recently, Go Fish with the grandchildren had become his game of choice. His six grandchildren, who range from three weeks to six years old, were a source of overwhelming joy.

His everyday actions, whether public or private, were his living testimony. He lived and died by the words of Jesus. John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” Mark believed that true success in life was measured by obedience to Christ and love for others.

Mark is survived by wife, Kelly Taylor of Roswell, NM; two children, Christopher Taylor and wife Rachel of Waco, TX, and Alison and husband Joshua Capps of Gardendale, TX; six grandchildren, Zion, Zayla, Luke, Zadok, Miles, and Zoey; mother, Sherrie Taylor of Denton, TX; sister, Tammy and husband Steve Marley of Denton, TX; mother-in-law, Saundra Long of Valliant, OK; and sister-in-law, Pam and husband Joe O’Neal of Valliant, OK. He is preceded in death by his father, William Taylor, and father-in-law, Jerry Long.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 7, at Christ Church, Roswell, NM, at 10am. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Focus on the Family or Compassion International. Though our hearts ache, we rejoice in the promise of eternal life, knowing Mark now hears the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”