Joseph “Joe” Taylor, 46, of Orange, Texas, passed away on June 2, 2023, in Houston, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 9, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City, Texas. Officiating will be Reverend Ed Rawls.

Visitation will be held prior to the service at 1:00 p.m., Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Born in Orange, Texas, on April 17, 1977, he was the son of Lanora Jean (Franks) Taylor. Joe loved to travel and explore new places, especially places few have seen. He graduated from Lamar University which included a degree in Industrial Maintenance. He also worked for Dow Chemical Plant. Joe loved to photograph the places he traveled to and, in recent years, took up a serious interest in learning about the skill and practicing different techniques of photography. He had a big passion for cars as well. He was also a Master Scuba Diver, with over 16 different Diving Certification, who had enjoyed diving all over the world; from Thailand, Iceland, the Philippines, Mexico, as well as in the United States. He very much enjoyed sharing stories with fellow divers and providing guidance and reassurance to new divers. So much so that after Joe had accomplished so much in his time in recreational diving, he decided to become a Certified Divemaster, which is the first step into professional diving, so that he could one day introduce others to the wonders of the underwater world and instruct them along the way.

He is preceded in death by mother, Lanora Taylor; brother, Jason Roy Taylor; and uncle, Bob Grimes.

He is survived by his aunts and uncles, Byron and Jenean Franks, Aleen Grimes, and Royce and Danna Franks; numerous cousins; and many loving friends.