Danie "Bubba" Taylor left us on November 14th at the age of 68 peacefully at home surrounded by his family, leaving behind a legacy of stories and laughs, some of which we think might have been true. Known on the ballfield as "Tater" and to his family as "Bubba" (thanks to his little sister’s inability to say brother), Danie was a Garden City native through and through. He spent decades working at Domtar Gypsum and, in his younger days, played high school baseball and football for Groves High School where he graduated in 1976. Later, he became a fixture at Paulsen Stadium, where he could be found playing, coaching the Georgia Peaches, or umpiring softball—a passion he inherited from his mother, Betty.

Bubba could strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and his talent for telling tales about his youth was unrivaled. (Whether or not he exaggerated, we'll never know, but it sure kept us entertained.) After he retired, Bubba took to gardening, growing flowers and fruits with a love that almost compared with his affection for his wife and kids. We’ll forever miss his colorful stories, his competitive one-upping, and his signature way of never letting anyone else get a word in edgewise.

Danie was predeceased by his mom, Betty Taylor; his dad, Billy Taylor; and his sister, Vicky Pribbenow. He leaves behind his wife, Linda Taylor of Garden City; his sister, Kelly Diotte of St. Augustine, FL; his son Tony Rahn (Bradley Bielanski) of Asheville, NC; his son Daniel Taylor of Dalton, GA; his daughter Miranda Taylor (Andrew Molloy) of Savannah, GA; and his daughter Morgan Taylor (Vaughn Smith) of Port Wentworth, GA, and his best friend who was always by his side, Charlie, a grumpy 14-year-old golden retriever.  Also carrying on his legacy are his grandchildren, Mahrlee and Vie, with a new “Tater Tot” on the way. And we can’t forget the beloved “shiny hiney ladies” at Candler Hospital who brightened his days.

Visitation will be at Fox & Weeks on Hodgson Memorial Drive Monday, November 18th from 5 pm-7 pm, with funeral services graveside at Hillcrest Abbey East Cemetery Tuesday, November 19th at 3 pm.  The family will be receiving guests at home after the services.