Taylor D. (Red) Wilkins, Jr. - 1992

Taylor D. Wilkins, Jr. is the son of Taylor D. Wilkins, Sr., and the late Myrtle Wilkins.  A native of Bay Minette, he epitomizes the all-around athlete – an outstanding player on the gridiron, on the hardwood, and on the diamond. He graduated from Baldwin County High School in 1958.  He earned a total of ten letters in football, basketball, and baseball.  He was co-captain of the football team during his senior year, and received All-State honors.  

At Marion Military Institute, Red Wilkins earned two letters in football, two in basketball, and one in baseball.  An amazing junior college player, he played both offensive and defensive end.  In 1959 he caught fourteen passes for a total of 395 yards.  He scored forty three points, and his reception of an eighty yard touchdown pass still stands as a school record.  He was selected as a Junior College All-American. 

Only slightly over six feet tall, Red was a dominating player on the basketball team.  As a freshman, he played a key role in Marion earning a trip to the NJCAA Tournament in Hutchison, Kansas.  He set three records during his sophomore year: the most rebounds in a season (363), most rebounds in a game (25, and the highest rebound average in a season (15.8). He was selected to the 1959-60 NJCAA All-Region Basketball team.  In addition to his athletic powers, he was a cadet leader, and held a demanding rank of first sergeant during his last year at MMI. 

Following graduation from Marion Military Institute, Red played two years of football for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Alabama.  He started at both offensive and defensive end, and was a member of Alabama’s 1961 National Championship Team.  He played in the 1962 Sugar Bowl.  Red also played for the Denver Broncos. 

Red graduated from the University of Alabama in 1963, and he earned a Jurists Doctorate Degree from Cumberland Law School in 1966.  He was President of his Senior Law Class. 

Following law school, he spent two years in the U.S. Army.  He served one year as a captain and advisor to a Vietnamese infantry battalion during the war in Southwest Asia. 

He is a member of the law firm of Wilkins, Bankester, Biles, and Wynn with offices in Bay Minette, Fairhope, and Robertsdale.  A past president of the Baldwin County Bar Association, Red is a member of the American board of Trail Advocates, and the Alabama Trial Advocates, and the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association.  He has represented Baldwin County as County Attorney since 1985. 

Red has served as scoutmaster for ten years.  He is an elder and Sunday school teacher in the First Presbyterian Church of Bay Minette. 

In summary, Red Wilkins is not only a gifted athlete, but a superb leader of men.  He was a leader in athletics, he was a leader among his classmates, he was a leader in the service of his country, and he is a leader in the legal profession, the church and the community.   

Red Wilkins is married to the former Judy Richardson of Bogalusa, Louisiana, and they have three children.