Resident and former LB Bearcat gets Hall-of-Fame honors
Athlete Selected: Gary O. Taylor
City: Long Beach, MS. 39560
Sports Category: Football
Years attended MGCCC: 1982 – 1984 (1984 National Champs)
Special Honors / Recognitions:
-2-year athletic scholarship from Coach George Sekul
– Co-captain of the 1984 National Junior College Football Championship Team. Record: 13-0
– Team Spirit award 1983 and 1984
– Honorable mention to the 1984 all-state junior college football team
– Academic “Hall of Fame” 1984 – Participated in the 1984 National Junior College Golf Tournament in Lehigh, FL
Gary Taylor, of Long Beach, attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (MGCCC) from August 1982 – December 1984. He graduated MGCCC in December 1984 with an associated degree in pre-engineering studies and went on to receive his degree as an Electrical Engineer from Mississippi State University. He currently works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Stennis Space Center.
Gary played football for coach George Sekul in the fall of 1982 as a walk-on student athlete and was redshirted that year due to a slight ankle sprain. He continued the next 2 years as the starting tight end / wide receiver and was a part of the 1983 South State Champions and the 1984 “National Championship Team”. He had the privilege of catching 2 touchdown passes in the National Championship bowl game in Belair Maryland as MGCCC won the championship game 21 – 7.
He was selected as a co-captain of the 1984 national championship team.
During these 2 years at MGCCC he also played Golf in the spring for coach Charles Cooper. In 1983 he placed 4th in the Mississippi Junior College golf association state tournament which provided the opportunity for Mr. Taylor to get an invite to the National Junior College Golf Championship in Lehigh Florida.
Gary was a member of the 1983 student council association, 1983 / 1984 Dean’s list, and received 1984 “Hall of Fame” honors as selected by the student body / faculty. He held a 3.6 GPA through his Junior college academic years.
Mr. Taylor enjoys participating in community activities and spending time with family / friends. He has coached youth sports for many years (basketball / football / tee ball / soccer), managed the Long Beach little league umpire association, supported educational career fairs, mentored youth / young adults, and actively participates in all aspects of his church life.
Gary currently lives in Long Beach MS. with his 89-year-old mother (Mrs. Fredde Mincher Taylor, original 1954 University of Southern Mississippi Dixie Darling). Has one sister: Valerie Lynn Taylor of Jackson MS.
Gary has 4 adult children: James (stepson of 40), Jordan (daughter of 33), Lakelyn (daughter of 30), Gracyn (daughter of 25). One Grandson of 2 years old, Kai Owen Cutchall. One Granddaughter of 3 months old. One Bird, Cookie. Two cats, Big Boy and Aspen. One Granddog, Laya.
