John D. Paylor, Sr was born on July 17, 1928 in Baltimore, Maryland.John D. was the second son of William M. and Vergia Johnson Paylor. He and his older brother, William, grew up in east Baltimore, where the Paylor's were active members of Faith Baptist Church, on Bond Street. As a boy, John sang with the Simon Williams Youth Choir at the church. He would share the gift of his melodious voice with various church choral groups for the rest of his life.

John D. attended Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from the Carver Vocational Technical High School in 1947. After graduation he worked for Western Union, delivering telegrams, and Cats Paw Rubber Company, fabricating shoe parts in south Baltimore. While on a lunch break, he met a beautiful young lady, Christine Booker, at Sandler's neighborhood store who was working as a clerk. After a short and intense courtship, John D. and Christine were married on December 18, 1949. Not long after the marriage, August 1950, John D. enlisted in the Maryland National Guard. Soon thereafter, he was called to active duty with the United States Army.

In the Army, John D. was deployed to Germany and then into a combat zone during the Korean War. He was attached to a Transportation Unit. There he used his skills as an accomplished mechanic to keep military transport vehicles and tanks operable. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was discharged, with honor in July 1952.

Upon his return to Baltimore, John D. was employed as a bus driver for what was then known as Baltimore Transit Company. He was in the first "negro" group of drivers hired by the Company and was proud to be a "professional" driver. He never had an accident in the 37 years that he drove the transit buses.In 1990, he retired from the Mass Transit Authority (MTA).After retirement worked for Allender Bus Company, Broadway Services and John Wesley United Methodist Church.

Although his religious roots were at Faith Baptist, John D. had his church affiliation come into full blossom at John Wesley United Methodist Church in the 1960.John D. loved to sing and at John Wesley he joined the Farther Along Choir, with his father-in-law Samuel Booker and brothers-in-law William (Bobby) Booker and Chester Booker. Until his death, he was an honored member of the Boys to Men's Choir. On special celebration Sundays his baritone voice could be heard rising above other choir members. He also fulfilled many other key roles at John Wesley UMC, including but not limited to Deacon, President/Head Trustee, Sick and Shut In, going out to serve communion.He was President of the United Methodist Men, a member of the church Renovation and Planning Committee, and a member of the Steward Board.A virtual fixture at John Wesley, John D. never failed to answer a call to contribute or to encourage other worshippers. He shared his "Praise the Lord" with such exuberant exaltation that he became known as "Shouting John" for exhorting ministers during the delivery of their sermons.

At home, on Sequoia Avenue, John D. was a Mr. Fix It kind of man, making all sorts of needed repairs. He especially enjoyed gardening, taking care of his dog or cat and taking meticulous care of his lawn. In his spare time, he tinkered with cars, once switching out a transmission right in his back yard.

He passed away, quietly in his sleep, on April 25, 2020. John D. Paylor is survived by his loving wife, Christine Booker Paylor, with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage. Other survivors include daughters Evelyn Perry (Rick), Deanna Wilson, Rose Conaway, Angela Jones (Steven), and 7 grandchildren, Nichelle Beasley, Troy Wilson, Nicole Swann (Kenneth), Keith Tate (Melissa), Joi Randall, Kaci Conaway and John Paylor III. He also has 3 great grandchildren, 2 great -great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was pre-deceased by his only son, John D. Paylor, Jr. and great grandson Troy Wilson Jr.