Obituary for Gary Walter Taylor

Gary Walter Taylor, 75, of Strawberry, Ariz., passed away peacefully from acute leukemia in Phoenix on Friday, April 18, 2014. Gary was born in Phoenix, Ariz. to the late Walter K. and Virginia Mae Mortensen Taylor. He graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1957 and in 1961, graduated with a degree in business from Arizona State University.
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pine, Ariz., Gary was always in the service of his church and helping others. Along with Big John, Jim and Richard, Gary was an expert wood-cutter and helped many with snowplowing.
A devoted husband and loving dad and grandpa, Gary will be missed by his wife, Sharon, whom he married in 2004; his daughter, Tammy Noel Payne; his son, Lieutenant Commander Todd Nathan Taylor, USN (Julie); and his grandchildren, Nathan and Gabrielle Taylor; his sisters, Janice Johnson (Von), Jane Bowden (Jim); and brother, Marc (Cindy).
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marcia Diane Erickson, mother of Todd and Tammy.
Friends are invited to join the family at Gary’s funeral on Saturday, April 26, 2014 in the Pine Chapel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pine, Ariz. beginning with visitation at 10 a.m followed by the service at 11 a.m. Afterward, burial will take place at Pine Cemetery.