Toby Taylor Scholarship Founded for Texas Trades Students

Taylor’s attention to HVAC education and to growing the trades continues. He recently notified Contracting Business about a special project he and Linda started that has now come to fruition: The Toby Taylor Scholarship within the Weatherford Independent School District, in honor of the Taylor’s son Toby, who passed away in February 2024 at age 53, following complications from the flu.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Toby Taylor began his career at an architectural firm before joining Airrite, where he served as its General Manager for over 20 years. In 2016 he and his wife Beth purchased an an AlphaGraphics business. Toby Taylor was beloved by the community, and following his passing, the church to which he and Beth belonged held an emotional and inspiring memorial service.

Linda and Larry jump-started the scholarship fund with a $20,000 donation, and others around the HVAC industry are welcome to contribute.  Two $1000 scholarships will be awarded each year, to one male and one female high school senior who are going on to continuing trade education.

Inspired by Texas House Bill 3, which mandates that students have college, career and military readiness upon graduating, the program currently has two tracks of education for students entering 9^th grade. Track 1 is the current line of study, and Track 2 is development of trades education, a mandatory requirement. The student can continue in that trade after high school should they wish to do so.