Obituary of Arnold Charles Lee Taylor "A.T."
Being a full blood American Indian, Mississippi Band of Choctaw and citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, he played in many Indian fast-pitch softball tournaments. If you had the time, he had bunches of softball stories to tell – he was a very creative storyteller.
He was a well-known and respected fast pitch softball pitcher. His early softball days, he was a twice recipient of MVP for Shortstop and Pitcher Award at the Oklahoma State All-Indian fast pitch tournament. He was especially proud the year he played in this same tournament with Ken’s Plumbing of Dallas TX. Arnold pitched in the championship game and won. That year, over 100 teams participated.
Arnold also played in many premier national tournaments. He made a nickname for himself (Arnoldo Valdez) in the Latin America softball circuit and played with a variety of Texas teams such as Blue Jays, Jokers, Houston Hawks, Baytown, and Alabama-Coushatta Renegades. He also played with a variety of Oklahoma teams such as Mill Creek, Little Axe, and Texoma Giants. He was still pitching and traveling until he became a stroke victim. Arnold had a stroke in 2004 and suffered some setbacks in his health but always loved the game of fast pitch softball. He had the desire to pitch one more time!
Arnold worked at First Transit, Dallas, TX as a Bus Operator for many years and worked part-time as a master plumber.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnson and Ethel Perry Taylor; and a brother, Jessie Taylor.
Arnold is survived by his children, Charlie Taylor of Durant, OK, Donya Battiest and husband Randy of Wylie, TX, Brandon Taylor of Durant, OK, and Starla Austin and husband Ed of Seagoville, TX; special niece and nephew Kami Taylor, of Durant, OK, Chase McKinney of Durant, OK, and a sister, Peggy Larney of Dallas, TX and nephew Brian Larney of Dallas, TX.
Arnold also will be lovingly remembered by his nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends and a wake service will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at the White Family Chapel presided by Rev. Luther Battiest. Interment will follow at Slater Memorial Cemetery in Wright City, OK.
