Michael Lynn “Mike” Taylor, 78, of Hickman, Kentucky, passed away at 4:23 a.m. Monday, October 12, 2026, at Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray, Kentucky.
Mike was born in Union City, Tennessee, on January 23, 1948. He was a 1966 graduate of Fulton County High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry and History from Murray State University in 1970. He served in the Kentucky National Guard for seven years. Before graduating from Murray State, he began working as a chemist at SGL Carbon in Hickman and subsequently spent most of his working career there in various leadership capacities.
He was a member of West Hickman Baptist Church and served as a deacon for many years. He was currently a member of Hickman First United Methodist Church.
Mike was an avid baseball player in his youth and young adult years. He was such an excellent pitcher that his teammates called him “Ace.” He also played high school basketball and football. Adulthood brought him a new athletic challenge: golf, which he played and enjoyed for many years. During most sports seasons, he could be found watching the sport of the moment. Of course, his main interest was watching his beloved Wildcats on television or at Rupp Arena. This was a lifelong love that he instilled in his wife and daughters.
Mike is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susan Mayfield Taylor. He is also survived by his three daughters, who were the light of his life: Michelle Osborne (Jim) of Murray, Ky.; Tori Cole (John) of Martin; and Betsy London (Matt) of Glasgow, Ky. Adding more love and richness to his life than he could ever have imagined are his eight grandchildren: Beau Osborne (Lauren) and Lyda Osborne of Murray, Ky.; Ethan Cole, Caleb Cole, Linley Cole, and Abigail Cole, all of Martin; and Katie Beth London and Annalee London of Glasgow, Ky. He is also survived by two sisters, Susan Blassingame (Tommy) of Dukedom, Ky., and Edie Lane (Donnie) of Hickman, Ky., and two brothers-in-law, Steve Hastings of Dexter, Ky., and John Mayfield of Hickman, Ky.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Helen Taylor, and his sister, Jenny Hastings.
Visitation will be held at Hickman First United Methodist Church on Thursday, October 15, from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00 p.m., with burial to follow at Hickman City Cemetery.
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