John Michael Wehby

John Michael Wehby of Taylor died Monday evening, March 26, 2018, two days after his 94 ^th birthday. John was born in Taylor the third child of Rafael Wehby and Marie Michael Wehby.

John quit school on his 18 ^th birthday to join the U.S. Marine Corps serving three years in the South Pacific during World War II. Several years ago the Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society worked with the Taylor ISD to get John his high school diploma, some 70+ years later. Following his discharge he returned to Taylor and worked in the family business until 1948 when he was hired as the advertising sales manager for the newly formed KTAE radio. John continued in that job for almost 50 years until the radio station was sold in the late 1990s.

During his lifetime in Taylor, John was well known for his civic involvement and support of the Texas Democratic Party. He served as Democratic Party chairman in Williamson County for a number of years earning the title “Mr. Democrat”. He was appointed to two terms on the Brazos River Authority board of directors by two Texas governors, Mark White and Ann Richards. John was most proud of having attended two national conventions of the Democratic Party and serving as a Presidential Elector in 1976. He was active in many local civic activities including the Taylor Country Club, the Taylor Chamber of Commerce – where he was their first lifetime member – and Keep Taylor Beautiful where he was given KTB’s first President’s Award. He was a member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and actively supported many local charities and organizations.

John is survived by friends and caregivers Susan and Ed Komandosky and Donna Ladner and many other friends and colleagues he made over his long years of business in Taylor.

His parents, sister Ann and brother Joseph preceded him in death.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, March 29, at Providence Funeral Home followed by graveside services at 10 a.m., Friday, March 30, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Taylor.

Honorary pallbearers are Ken McConchie, George Ruzicka, Arnold Cuba, John Nelson, Kent Kostka, Joseph Bartosh, Phil Pierce and Reggie Ladner.