He shepherded the transition of Autauga County from Democrat to being one of the strongest Republican counties in ruby-red Alabama.
He led the transition of the Autauga County Probate Office into the modern age of accounting and business practices.
Cordy Taylor has died at age 99.
The Autauga County Probate office made this announcement Thursday:
We are sad to share the news of the passing of our beloved retired Autauga County Probate Judge Cordy Taylor. Judge Taylor served two terms as Autauga County Probate Judge and was 99 years old. Taylor retired from the military, served in the Alabama Senate in 1979, and served on the Prattville City Council prior to serving as Probate Judge. In 2020, Judge Cordy Taylor was inducted in the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. He was known for his compassion, strong work ethic, and “can do” attitude.
He was a servant, both in and out of office, and he will be truly missed. Please pray for his family
Taylor had been a Certified Public Accountant. He carried his accounting skills into his public service. He served the Prattville City Council, the State Senate, the Probate office and the Chairmanship of the Autauga County Republican Party like an accountant, not a politician.
Prattville Realtor Bo Evans made this statement:
“Judge Taylor was an amazing person. When I was in eighth grade, he was serving in the state senate and recommended me as a page. It was a great experience for a young person interested in government. When I graduated from college and returned home, he was Chairman of the Autauga County Republican Executive Committee when I became a member.
His election to Probate Judge was unique because the son of one Probate Judge defeated the sitting Probate Judge in the primary. The sitting Probate Judge then ran a write-in campaign in the November general election.
“This made him the first Republican elected countywide since reconstruction. During his term he was instrumental in changing the pay system for the probate judge and changing the way county road maintenance was performed.
“I had the honor of talking to him last year about some real estate he owned. His mind was sharp as ever and he was friendly as ever. Rest in peace judge with the knowledge that you were an agent of change for our county.”
Frank Thiemonge, now an attorney in Mobile, was the opponent defeated by Cordy Taylor in his first Republican primary for Probate Judge in 1988. Thiemonge said Thursday:
"Cordy Taylor was going to do what he thought was right. He was strait-laced and honest."
No announcement of services has been made at publication time.
Jim Zeigler is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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