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Thomas Gene “T.J.” Taylor, Jr., 45, of Clarington, OH passed away unexpectedly in Cambridge, OH while on the job. He was a beloved son, brother, grandson, father, grandfather, uncle, nephew, and cousin to his large and loving family. He was born on June 21, 1980, to Thomas “Tom” Taylor, Sr. and Kathy Armann Burch. T.J. was a 1998 graduate of River High School and Swiss Hills Career Center where he participated in golf and baseball. While there, he competed for two years in the International Defensive Pistol Association. He was the owner and operator of Taylor’s Welding and Fabrication and was an elected Trustee for Switzerland Township. His life was defined by his incredible work ethic, talented carpentry skills, and ability to build and repair anything. He built a thriving and successful business that saw many custom works created in his shop and service site visits across Eastern Ohio and West Virginia. He was an avid truck puller who, alongside his father, custom-built two pulling trucks named “2nd Amendment” and “Gunpowder and Lead Reloaded” that he and his aunt and fellow truck puller, Jenny Abbott competed with all over the tri-state region during the last 20 years with the Southeast Ohio Pulling Series and Power Pulling Productions. Outside of work, T.J. found happiness and love in his girlfriend Kayla with whom he shared a special bond. His proudest achievements and work were being a loving and devoted father and Pappy to his two sons Dawson and Trey and never missed an opportunity to be with his four grandchildren, Carter, Myles, Layla and Banks. An avid animal lover, TJ also loved his two dogs, Zeus and Stella, and cats, Jordy and Tigger. In addition to the above, T.J. was a skilled hunter, shooter and marksman, and enjoyed golfing, having cookouts, watching Pirates baseball and being with his family and friends. He was beloved for his generosity and work in helping so many in need without accepting any recognition. His many acts of service and generosity will continue to live on in so many ways. T.J. was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Gene “Skip” Taylor, step-grandfather Louis “Lou” Lemmon, maternal grandparents Rowland and Betty Armann, aunts Barbara Armann, Patsy Armann Meadows, Susan Armann, and Marie Armann, and step-uncle James Conger. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his two sons Dawson Weekley (Sam Bagwell) and Trey (Harlie) Taylor, his four grandchildren Myles and Layla Weekley, Carter and Banks Taylor, his girlfriend Kayla Moore and her children Sadie and Luke Moore, his sister Summer Mozena, his grandmother Sonja Taylor, nephews and niece Maddox, Brody, and Mackenize Mozena, aunts Jenny (Roger) Abbott, Geanie Conger, uncles Mike (Lori) Armann, George Armann, and James (Helen) Armann. Additionally, he leaves behind many close cousins whom he cherished like siblings. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm at Grisell Funeral Home, 751 3rd Street, New Martinsville, WV, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11am. A private burial will follow at Clarington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in T.J.’s honor to Monroe County “Shop with a Cop”, The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, or the Monroe County Sheriff Office Dog Pound, 47129 Moore Ridge Rd, Woodsfield, OH, 43793, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Sympathy expressions at grisellfuneralhomes.com.

Tributes

Thomas Gene "T.J." Taylor Jr.

June 21, 1980 - January 30, 2026