Obituaries

Louisville – John Martinez Taylor, 63, passed away on January 19, 2022, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Services were held on January 29, 2022 at Emmanuel Baptist Church 3815 West Broadway, Louisville, KY. Interment Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, Radcliff, KY.

John Martinez Taylor, affectionately called “Marty”, began his earthly race on May 18, 1958.  Marty was born to his father John Taylor, Sr., and mother Chestina Gilkey Lockhart in Louisville, KY.  Marty entered into his final rest on January 19, 2022 in Virginia Beach, VA.   

Marty attended Fern Creek High School, Moore High School, and PRP High School. He was extremely athletic and excelled in baseball, track and field, football, boxing, and wrestling. He began training in the boxing studio that was used by the late great Muhammad Ali. Throughout his wrestling career he only lost one wrestling match.  He later enlisted in the United States Army.  While serving in the military, Marty excelled as a competitive boxer and he was known as a “super joc” due to his superior athleticism.  Marty served his country for 6 years before being honorably discharged.  Marty also worked in various positions throughout his professional career including serving as a manager of one of the first black-owned supermarkets in West Louisville, entrepreneur, and dedicated laborer. He had a passion to serve others in addition to meeting their needs.

Marty enjoyed fishing and taught others how to do so. He enjoyed shopping, barbecuing, playing dominoes, and spending time with family and friends. Marty loved to cook for other people and those around him raved about his seafood boils, his barbecue, and his special barbecue sauce.  He was known for his witty riddles and he was extremely comical. However, he was mostly recognized for being a “sharp dresser” because he commanded attention through his flamboyant style of dress.  

He was adored by his colleagues, friends, and most of all his family. Marty was preceded in death by his mother and father.  He leaves the following immediate family members and a host of extended family members and friends to cherish his memory: Daughters: Martina Colbert, Cristy Duke, Monet Duke-Agbenyadzi (William), Markale Duke, Tamar Duke and Shawn Duke; Siblings: Dane Gilkey, Andorria Walker and Donna Magwood; Grandchildren: Isaiah, Infiniti, Rena, Amaree, Damoni, Akeem, China, A’brea, Brendan, Naomi, and Jorunee.  Marty will be sorely missed and will forever remain in the hearts of his loved ones.