J. Paul Taylor devoted his life to education, first as a teacher and then for the last 13 years of his educational career as the associate superintendent of the Las Cruces schools system. After 39 years J. Paul Taylor retired from education and became the New Mexico State Representative for Doña Ana County. For nineteen years he represented Doña Ana County, retiring from the New Mexico Legislature in 2004.
Love for Politics at an Early Age
J. Paul Taylro was a studious young man who attended Valley High School where he was also the editor of the Valley High Booster. In 1938 his journalism class traveled to El Paso to attend an event honoring Eleanor Roosevelt. Paul had the opportunity to shake the First Lady’s hand and to pose in a class picture with her.
A Gift to New Mexico
In 2002 Paul and Mary Taylor decided to gift their home and other properties on the Mesilla Plaza to the state of New Mexico. Their selflessness and vision for future generations to learn of the history of Mesilla was done with the blessing of their seven children.