Kumen Taylor

Kumen Jonas Taylor was born on August 21, 1976, in The Dalles, Oregon and passed away on January 15, 2024, in The Colony, Texas.

Kumen was the fourth of eight children born to Kent and Rosemary Taylor. He spent most of his childhood and teenage years in Herndon, Virginia. As well as several places in the greater Washington, D.C. area, he also lived in and near Frisco, Texas as an adult. Kumen was a kind and gentle person, helpful, soft-spoken, a true friend and brother. He was an animal lover, and a collector of many things including books and records. He loved listening to music, especially rock and metal, but he detested country. Kumen loved being eccentric and dressing with a flare. Tight jeans, bell bottoms, and leather pants were his favorites. He grew his hair wild and had many tattoos.

He was skilled at working with his hands, building, fixing, modifying, and creating. Kumen was an artist and gave drawings and paintings to friends and family. He worked in many different skilled professions where his creativity and expertise was noted and appreciated.

Kumen was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served a mission in Salt Lake City, Utah from 2002 to 2004. Kumen had a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he held throughout his life. His unique life experiences helped him to relate to people in extraordinary ways leading to bringing many people to a testimony of Jesus Christ. He was proud of his name, his heritage, his religion, and his family.

Kumen was previously married to Paula Hall. At the time of his death, Kumen was in a relationship with Kim Fairr of The Colony, Texas, and lived with her and her three children.

Kumen is survived by his father, Kent Taylor of Frisco, Texas. Sister Marie Coltrane of Lubbock, Texas. Brothers Joseph Taylor of Lubbock, Texas, and Samuel Taylor of Dallas, Texas. Sisters Linda Bynum of Plano, Texas; Sarah Taylor of Little Elm, Texas; Helen Taylor of Little Elm, Texas; and Roxi Taylor of Mesquite, Texas. He was Predeceased by his mother, Rosemary Taylor. He is also survived by numerous friends from everywhere he has ever been. His best friends were John Frye, who Kumen called a brother and Keli Wright, who he called a twin. Kumen will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Kumen’s memorial service will be at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home: 601 S Tennessee Street, McKinney, Texas at 2:00 pm on January 30, 2024. Followed by the burial at Wilson Chapel Cemetery: 200 Chapel Lane, McKinney, Texas.

Ego autem res ipsa in sui generis. (But I am a thing of its own kind.)