Leonard Leon Taylor Sr was born on October 29, 1949, to Rosa Taylor and Pelham Turner.

In 1968 Leonard Leon Taylor graduated from Central High School in Mobile, Alabama. He attended Spring Hill College before moving to Dallas, Texas to attend Bishop College.

While at Bishop College he met lifelong friends and was introduced to Susie Polk. Leonard and Susie married in June 1973 and welcomed their son in July 1973.

In January 1974, Leonard began his career with the Dallas Fire Department as a member of recruit class 166. His career would span more than 20 years. Leonard's legacy in Dallas Fire Rescue includes a rapid ascent to being the first Black battalion chief in department history. He was promoted to battalion chief in 1986 just 12 years after joining the department. More important than his own success was his willingness to pass on his notes and mentor others.

As Leonard's career progressed, his family grew. Leonard and Susie made the commitment to move his mother-in-law in with the family. Then in 1983, Leonard and Susie welcomed their daughter. At one point, their family included a couple hundred grain feed pigs Leonard was helping raise!

Ever the busy body and worker while an active-duty firefighter Leonard moonlighted as a Dallas County jailer guarding inmates on the jail floor at Parkland. Even in his retirement years, Leonard stayed busy working as a door greeter at Sam's Club.
There are countless other achievements and accolades that could be mentioned, but Leonard's greatest accomplishments were being a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and cousin. His humor, love of great music, a chance to dance, and eat good food will remain in the hearts of all who knew him.

He has left his wife Susie Taylor, his children Leonard Jr. and Angela, his sisters Sandra Terry and Pamlyon Harris along with a host of nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers in law to cherish his memory. Leonard was proceeded in death by his parents Pelham Turner and Rosa Taylor and his brother Matthew Turner.