April 15, 2025 - Word has reached CoalZoom that John Taylor, the well-known and highly respected pioneer of longwall mining in America, passed away suddenly of natural causes, on April 11, 2025.

“John is remembered by all of us as the large-hearted giant of a man that he was,” said John Whitfield, President & CEO, Limitless Mining Solutions (LMS). “He crossed paths with lots of people in several industries and made an impression on them all. May his family find solace in always knowing that he is loved and respected by all whose life he touched and may he rest in peace.”

John began his mining career in Northumberland, England as an apprentice in Mechanical Engineering with the British National Coal Board (NCB). In 1982, he was offered the position of Sales Service Engineer with Dowty Corporation under its President, Matt Spedding, and moved to the United States. For 12 years, John helped with the installation and operation of highly productive longwall systems and earned his reputation as a highly knowledgeable longwall engineer. His work also took him to Australia and Indonesia.

As the demand for longwall mining and equipment grew, so did the demands for John’s ability and in 1988, he joined Joy Mining Machinery as a sales/service engineer. Later, he relocated to Birmingham, Alabama where he met the love of his life. In 1995, John joined Jones Machine & Welding serving the coal mining companies in the region in including US Steel’s Oak Grove and Jim Walter Resources. 

In 2004, he founded his own business, Dayjon Inc. where he was President and ran successfully for over 12 years. After that John served in senior sales positions for Longleaf Machine Co. and N. Seals remaining in his adopted state, Alabama. In 2017, he joined LMS as its Sales Director and was instrumental in the development of that business and a vital part of its success.

John Tayler was a member of the relatively small cadre of highly skilled longwall ex-Brit guys, who went through all the stages, from changing leaking hoses and flushing valves at weekends on longwall faces, to the installation of highly sophisticated shield supports and heavy-duty conveyors. His many contributions to the American coal industry will never be forgotten. 

Obituary can be found here.