Gary L. Taylor, the founder of InfoCision (News - Alert), passed away Saturday, March 2. He was 59.

Taylor and his wife Karen started Akron-based InfoCision in 1982 and built it into what is today, a top-tier telephone marketing company. Today, InfoCision employs more than 4,200 people in 35 call centers throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. InfoCision raises more money for not-for-profit organizations over the phone than any other company in the world, and is a leading call center provider for Fortune 100 companies.

While the company has made its mark as a national leader in its space, the Taylors retained a family feel at InfoCision, where there are many close friendships and employees who have been with the firm since entering the workforce.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gary,” Steve Brubaker (News - Alert), InfoCision chief of staff, said in a written statement. “We have all lost a great friend and leader. Gary made this company what it is today through hard work, dedication and a strong sense of integrity. His mark is indelibly stamped on the industry, as well as on our company and its culture. The InfoCision family will miss him more than anyone will ever know.”

Taylor was a lifelong resident of Akron. He graduated from the University of Akron, where he earned an MBA and met his wife Karen. And in recent years, the Taylor family provided the funding that enabled the University of Akron to launch the Gary L. and Karen S. Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing . They were also sponsors of the U of A’s new football stadium, InfoCision Stadium.

An avid golfer, Taylor also was principle owner of Granite Golf Properties, which owns and operates Medina Country Club, The Quarry in Canton and Shale Creek in Medina. The family continues to own the courses.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Sue, and his children, Lindsay Rose Tadsen and her husband Thomas David, and Craig Scott Taylor and his wife Mindi Michelle, and a grandson, Thomas David Tadsen III.