Gordon William Taylor
BMJ 2004; 329 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7463.464-e (Published 19 August 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:464
Data supplement
Gordon William Taylor
Former general practitioner Reading (b 1928; q Manchester 1952), died from bronchopneumonia and Parkinson’s disease on 18 June 2004.As an undergraduate, Gordon won first prize in a BMA competition for medical students with an essay entitled "Clinical Teaching in relation to the Practice of Medicine."
Five years after qualification, he settled in Reading as a GP, where he helped to build up a caring family practice on a new housing estate in Southcote in the west of the town.
In 1981 he became a JP (justice of the peace), serving on the magistrates bench in Reading for a number of years, and he had the honour of being made MBE in 1982.
He was actively involved in medical politics, his special interests being the BMA ethics committee, which he chaired for a number of years, and the obstetrics committee of the then GMSC (General Medical Services Committee). He was elected fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1983, and, having had a special interest in the training of medical secretaries, he was made a fellow of AMSPA (Association of Medical Secretaries & Practice Administrators) in 1997.
Unfortunately, he developed Parkinson’s disease, which forced him to take early retirement in 1988. However, he continued to be fairly active for over 10 years, but slowly the disease took its toll, enforcing a move to residential care just six weeks before his death.
His funeral service on 29 June was held at the church where he had worshipped for over 50 years, Southcote Mission, and was a time of sadness and loss, yet with a deep sense of joy and peace, as nearly 200 people celebrated the life of a dedicated Christian doctor, who will remain a wonderful example to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed, especially by his wife, Joan, their three children, and seven grandchildren. [Phil Simmons]