Anyone with a knowledge of the history of the professional HVAC contracting industry has heard of or has had the pleasure to meet Larry Taylor. After working for TD Industries, Taylor purchased AirRite Air Conditioning in Fort Worth in 1990, growing the company to be one of the most respected in the industry. His industry activity included serving as 2001 chairman of Air Conditioning Contractors of America and in other roles for ACCA.
This beloved and respected member of the HVAC community can still be seen at an occasional industry show, but most of his time is spent with Linda, traveling or just enjoying their Texas ranch.
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 9th 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.
“The students can get an idea of what’s available as far as trade occupations they can get into,” said Dr. Beau Rees, Superintendent of Schools for the Weatherford ISD.
The trades program can also be used by schools in surrounding school districts by allowing them to send their students interested in a trades career to Weatherford program and refund Weatherford for that cost from their district.
“We strive to put students into apprenticeship and internships and things of that nature in their junior year, so that by their senior year they could potentially be working in that area while attending high school. Senior graduates are eligible to apply for the Toby Taylor Scholarship if they are continuing to pursue a degree in a trade school, an apprenticeship program or certification program for different trades,” Rees said.
According to Larry Taylor, the trades school will eventually have its own campus. “On the automobile side they already have a great facility that has been sponsored by local auto dealers and others. Toby was the driving force behind the automotive program.”
The Toby Taylor Scholarships will be awarded to one graduating high school male student and one high school female student who are going on to pursue an accredited technical, vocational, trades or skills program of study.
To make a donation to the Toby Taylor Scholarship fund, send it to the Weatherford School District, 1100 Longhorn Drive; Weatherford, TX 76086.