Michael Justice Taylor, Jr.

Michael Justice Taylor Jr. went peacefully and with an unbound heart to meet his creator, surrounded by the family that he so loved, on January 13, 2025. Michael was born in Augusta, Georgia, a city he loved dearly, on August 10, 1957. Michael was a true Southern gentleman.

Always with a wry, ready and contagious smile on his face, he had a humorous, insightful comment on the world we live in on his lips at any given moment. A graduate of the Darlington School, Michael attended the University of Georgia and earned a BBA from Augusta College, now Augusta University. He boldly embodied the bon vivant spirit of what it truly meant to be a student of life. He was a member in good standing of the Augusta Country Club, the Augusta Assembly and the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Michael began his career in Insurance in Atlanta, working for Gulf Insurance, and served as President of Dawson, Taylor & Company for over thirty years until his retirement in 2023. He was an active member of the Professional Insurance Agents Association and held various leadership positions, ultimately being elected to the board of directors for the PIA of Georgia. He was deeply committed to his community as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Augusta, a former board member and past President of both Child Enrichment, Inc. and the Jud C. Hickey Center (Via Cognitive Health), a graduate of Leadership Augusta and a dedicated volunteer for Historic Augusta’s Cotton Ball. Michael adored bird hunting and was a founding member of the Pinetucky Gun Club as well as a dedicated member of Quail Unlimited. Some of his most treasured moments were hunting trips and shooting birds in South Georgia with his two beloved boys, Justice and Harison. 

Michael was preceded in death by his beloved mother Mary (Mollie) Burdell Taylor. He is survived by his father Michael Justice Taylor, sisters Markie Taylor Nixon (Alex), Mary Taylor Cochet (Emile), brother Cannon Butler Taylor and sons Michael Justice Taylor III (Lilly) and Richard Harison Taylor as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by the mother of his two boys, Eleanor Harison Taylor Slaby. 

A graveside service will be held on Friday, January the 17th at 11:00 am at the Summerville Cemetery. The family will greet friends after the service. Pallbearers will be Clay Boardman, Don Chandler, Mike Conger, Randy Echols, Karl Kerzic, Will Morris, Greg Sweetin and Kevin Teston.

The family expresses their deepest appreciation to Michael’s care givers, Theresa and Jeramiah.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael may be made to Via Cognitive Health, Child Enrichment, Inc. and the Church of the Good Shepherd (the Episcopal Day School / Foundation for EDS, Inc.), all in Augusta, Georgia.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.