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BORN
1931
DIED
2015
James Taylor Obituary
November 24, 1931 - July 19, 2015
James Wesley Taylor Sr. passed away peacefully on July 19, 2015 at the age of 83, after a short illness with MRSA.
He was a long time resident and local figure of Bothell, Washington. Wes was born in Eugene, Oregon to James Hollister and Alma Cecil Taylor. He was married to the mother of his children, Gwendolyn Elaine Taylor on April 22, 1951 for 31 years.
Wes is preceded in death by Gwendolyn, his parents James and Alma and his oldest son, Jonathan Edward Taylor. He is survived by his four loving children, James Wesley Taylor Jr. of Pullman, Rebecca Elaine Kelly of Vancouver, WA, Mark Allen Taylor of Vancouver, WA and Michael Taylor Donovan of Seattle, WA. He is survived by his sister, Darlene Campbell, his nephew, Chris Campbell and his niece, Candy Myers. He leaves behind a legacy of six grandchildren (Patrick, Tim, Sarah, Megan, Nathanael and Peter) and five great grandchildren (Mia, Dominic, Delaney, Jae and Iris).
Most of Wes' years were spent in Washington and Oregon. During his life, he was an ordained minister, worked for the Oregon State Penitentiary; the Boise Police Department; the Bureau of Land Management; and retired as a US Civil Servant in Vancouver, WA from Bonneville Power Administration.
He was an avid poet and penned over 1,400 poems throughout his life. He acted in about 30 plays and musicals, playing many colorful characters. He also had minor roles in local films and TV shows and was very excited to be an extra on "Northern Exposure" as Dr. Joel Fleischman's Grandpa. He also enjoyed researching his family heritage and Celtic background.
During his later years, he loved his favorite local eatery "Jay's Cafe", and then go to watch the blue herons as they returned to the Kenmore Rookery at the Park-n-Ride. He was known to all as the crooked man with his handmade crooked walking stick. . . and especially as "a silly guy!"
He faithfully attended Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church and was known for his enthusiastic "Amen's" from the rear of the church. He believed in Jesus and said many times that his relationship with God was the most important thing to him.
A memorial service celebrating Wes' life will be held 10:00am on August 29, 2015 at Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church at 17440 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting on Wes's behalf to have donations given for a bench in his name to be placed at the Kenmore Heron Rookery. Donations can be sent to: Michael Donovan, PO Box 33492, Seattle, WA 98133. Please sign Wes's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Taylor
Sponsored by The Family.
4 Entries
Denise
January 4, 2016
Mr. Taylor,
It is sad that our paths did not cross again in this life, but I am sure they will in the next. I always enjoyed your sense of humor especially the puns. Until we meet again, I bid you adieu my friend.
Michael Donovan
August 23, 2015
My Dad, my Pops, my Father, my Friend
My Dad, my Pops, my Father, my Friend,
He was there at the beginning and is till the end,
He was there as I walked,
He was there as I talked,
He was there to teach me things along the way,
He is there to teach me still to this very day,
My Dad, my Pops, my Father, my Friend,
He was there if I lost and is there when I win,
My Dad did magic and put on quite a show,
My Pops was quite a clown with or without his shiny red nose,
My Father taught me God's word and taught me to pray,
My Friend stands beside me to this very day,
My Dad, my Pops, my Father, my Friend,
He was there at the beginning and will be till the end!
on:August 24, 2013
by:Michael Taylor Donovan
né:(Michael Eugene Taylor)
Dusty the Clown - 80th Birthday
August 23, 2015
My Father, my Dad, my Pops ~ I will miss your Multidimensional, Analytical, Creative Mind... and what you called your "weird, mischievous, crazy, silly, strange, bizarre sense of humor!
Just like you taught your family... Now you can teach the angels the importance of silly clown noses and the style of walking (or flying) with a handcarved crooked walking stick ;)
I love you, Pops!!!
~ Michael
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