Community Mourns Youth Soccer Coach Paul Taylor

A metro area community is grieving the loss of a soccer coach and beloved family man.

Authorities say 53-year-old Paul Taylor was hit while riding his bike in DeKalb County early Monday.

”We are very much a team and Paul was  a big part of that and they lost a real friend and I’ve lost a real friend too, said Neil McNab.

McNabb says the girls on Taylor’s soccer team thought the world of him.

”He loved coaching because he had such a great manner with the kids. All the girls loved him. Special, special man, said McNab.

Taylor was riding his bike on North Decatur Road on Monday moing when he was struck by a truck and killed. Friends say he had just done a triathlon the day before and was out on an easy ride.

”Hardly ever met anybody so easy to get along with with everybody, said Clayton Webster.

Paul was also very involved with his church, Oak Grove Untied Methodist. He was known as boss hog because he organized the annual Bar-B-Que that feeds more than 5,000. During an interview with a local author on YouTube, Paul talked about how the fundraising pays off.

"We're all about building families and strengthening families in our community," Paul said in the video.

”The whole family is so involved, not only in church, but in the community, said Webster.

Paul has four children, the youngest is on the soccer team he coaches.

All the girls on Paul’s team signed a jersey, which will be given to Paul’s wife. They also signed a ball that they'll give it to Paul’s daughter.

”We conducted a minute of silence in honor of Paul. It's a small tribute to somebody who has given so much to our club, and specifically to the 11 girls, said McNab.