Delores Taylor, co-star of ‘Billy Jack’ films, dies at 85 Howard Petticord “Peck”

LOS ANGELES » Delores Taylor, who co-starred with her husband Tom Laughlin in his productions of the “Billy Jack” series of films, has died in Southern California, her daughter said Monday. She was 85.

Teresa Laughlin told The Associated Press that Taylor died March 23 of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Home near Los Angeles. She said her mother had suffered from dementia.

Taylor was born in 1932 in Winner, South Dakota. She grew up near the Rosebud Indian Reservation, an experience which she drew from when creating the namesake character of the “Billy Jack” films in the 1970s.

Taylor starred in three of the four “Billy Jack” films in which she played a teacher whose progressive school is defended by Billy Jack — a half-white, half-Native American Vietnam veteran who had come to hate war. The films became counterculture favorites.

Howard Petticord “Peck”, age 72, passed away on Sunday, March 25th, 2018, at Crozer-Keystone Hospice Residence at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, PA.

Peck was a U.S. Air Force Veteran who served in the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1969. He retired after 25 years of dedicated service at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, PA. Peck spent many years coaching with Aston A.A. and Aston Valley Baseball. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #926 of Aston, PA.

Son of the late Howard and Dorothy Petticord and uncle of the late Frank Saviski.

Survivors: Beloved Wife of 46 years, Joan Petticord. Children: Michele (Jeff) Shetter, Michael (Rachel) Petticord, Kristen (Steffin) Alvanitakis. Grandchildren: Jessica, Morgan, Kylie, Ryane, Brandon and Billy. Great-Grandson: Colton. Sisters: Mary June Blevin and Dorothy Jordan. Also survived by many Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral Service: Friday, March 30th, 2018, at 11:00 AM at the Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Ltd., Middletown (Rte. #352) & Knowlton Roads, Middletown Twp., Media, PA 19063.

Visitation: Friday, March 30th, 2018, from 9:30AM -10:45AM at the funeral home.

Interment: Mount Cemetery, Aston, PA. Condolences: www.msbfh.com Hope