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November 2008 |
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Taylor named 2008 Outstanding Male Citizen |
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Written by Brian McCormack
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Sunday, 05 October 2008 |
Since 1959, Homer Taylor has proudly served his community and that community happens to be Sweetwater. Taylor was recently named Outstanding Male Citizen by the Chamber of Commerce.
Taylor arrived in Sweetwater in 1958, after graduating from Hardin-Simmons University with a bachelor of science degree in education. He started off in Sweetwater as an English and journalism teacher at the high school. Taylor received his Master's degree in education in 1962.
He then spent 12 years holding different posts with Sweetwater ISD before focusing his attention on Texas State Technical College where he held such posts as Dean of Instruction and Dean of Institutional Development, as well as Vice-Chancellor for TSTC's state-wide. In 1999, he was named president of TSTC's campus, and served in that capacity until he retired in 2004.
Retirement for Taylor however, is not exactly what you would think of in the traditional sense of the word. Taylor has long been active in politics and business and that trend has continued throughout the years despite his "retired" status. There doesn't seem to be a board or committee in Sweetwater that Taylor hasn't served on, or isn't serving on currently.
A cancer survivor, Taylor has served on the board of Cancer Services Incorporated. He has also served on the United Way board, the Hospice board, and was chairman of the state and federal committee of the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce. He was also chairman of the WASP committee.
Currently, Homer is the executive director of the Nolan County Foundation, is co-chair of the West Texas Rehab Roundup, serves on the board of the Sweetwater Industrial Foundation and is Chairman of the Board for the West Texas Wind Energy Consortium. He is also a former Eagle Scout and a longtime member of the Rotary Club. Taylor, his wife Beth and their family are members of the First Baptist Church, where he has served as a deacon. Homer and Beth have five children between them and Taylor is a grandfather and great-grandfather.
Through his work with the Nolan County Foundation, over $53,000 in college scholarships have been awarded to deserving, college-bound teenagers. Education and the promotion thereof has always been a big part of Taylor's life. Just a few years old now, the NCF's assets value nearly $800,000, with a good portion of that valuation designated for the preparing of young men and women for their secondary educations.
Taylor's latest passion happens to be the continuation of the innovative wind energy industry which has revolutionized the way energy is produced in West Texas. Taylor actively engages in bringing wind giants to Sweetwater and its surrounding areas. He is a consultant for the corporations who are investing in wind energy as well as other greener methods of providing power to Texas residents. "I want to help promote the wind industry, which creates jobs and new businesses." Taylor said. "Our goal is to create permanent, good paying jobs around the area."
He estimates that around 1,000 permanent jobs have been created in Sweetwater as a result of the wind business.
Taylor also feels that wind is one part of the solution to long-term energy independence.
When asked what prompted him to get involved with the consortium Taylor said, "Knowing we were running out of oil, and knowing we needed to come up with alternatives." He also makes mention of the cleanliness of wind energy as a factor.
"We don't need to mess up the environment anymore. If we can find dependable, reliable energy, let's use it. We are getting a new source of electricity without leaving a carbon footprint."
Homer feels that Sweetwater is a place with a future. He points out the fact that wind energy is a renewable, never-ending resource which only gets better as new technologies improve the efficiency of the turbines which generate power.
"You're not using any fuel. Wind is energy in its purest form; you don't have to worry about depletion. The wind in Texas isn't going anywhere."
Aside from the booming wind farms, Taylor lists the hospital and the school system as two great assets Sweetwater possesses. Most of all he credits the people of Sweetwater for its success.
"The people here are outgoing, progressive thinkers, which contributes to the success of the town."
Taylor is honored by the recognition the chamber has given him this year, saying that it has been humbling and gratifying at the same time.
"It validates all the work Beth and I have done," Taylor said. "You're always surprised, you feel honored that people recognize the work you do. It's very validating and I appreciate it."
Taylor plans to stay active in the role he plays as consultant for the energy industry and wants nothing more than to improve the quality of life for Sweetwater's denizens. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 06 October 2008 )
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Every year we would all come together at my grandmother
McFaul-Coplen's home in Roscoe. She is no longer with us, but my family now
celebrates Thankgiving in my home. My parents, brothers, and their families all
bring a dish. I wanted to carry on what my grandmother started, and love and miss
all my family in Sweetwater and Roscoe. - Tracey Flake (Early, Texas)
Last year I had chosen my fall leaf garland with gold candles
however, at the last minute I had to redecorate with my snowman collection due to
the 5-6 inches of snow we accumulated! - Kandy Myers (Sweetwater, TX)
Every year we get together at Mom and Dad's to eat until we
can't breath. Then we proceed to decorate the tree. Everyone has their own ornament.
Once the tree is decorated, we all lay under the tree, turn the overhead light off
and say, "Ooooooooh, Aaaaaaaaah". - Mel King (Tuscola)
I don't know if y'all remember my parents, James and Sarah Rycroft, or not -- but years ago Daddy would secure the National Guard Armory in Sweetwater for Thanksgiving and would invite anyone in Sweetwater that didn't have family to be with to join us for dinner. We would cook all week long. We also delivered Thanksgiving dinner to people that were "home bound".Daddy would set up 3 or 4 televisions for the ball games. Folks would sit around and play domino. It always turned into quite a social event. Daddy couldn't stand the thought that anyone would be left alone on Thanksgiving. Mother and Daddy have been gone for some time now, but I'll bet there are folks that will remember this . - Sherron Foster (Paradise, TX) |
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