Erik Sprague Taylor

1931 - 2017

Erik Taylor died November 27, 2017. Erik was born in Tientsin, China to Foreign Service Officer Howard C. Taylor and Josephine S. Taylor. He was also the nephew of noted Colorado writer and historian, the late Marshall Sprague. Upon his return to the United States, Erik attended the Trinity School in New York City. He graduated from the Lawrenceville School, Wesleyan University, and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1954, he married the former Frances Hazlehurst of Colorado Springs, who survives him. Erik spent the majority of his career at the Colorado National Bank in Denver as a Trust Officer and head of the Trust Department. After his retirement from the bank, he served as Executive Director of the Animal Assistance Foundation. Erik was a founder and past President of the Douglas Society, the Native Arts support group of the Denver Art Museum. He also served on the Boards of the Webb-Waring Institute, the Webb-Waring Foundation, Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, 4-Mile House and the Mesa Verde Foundation. He was active with the Crow Canyon Archeological Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He was a member of the University Club, the Cactus Club and the Arapahoe Tennis Club. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three children: Erik S. Taylor, Jr., Ann M. Taylor (Cheryl Ayres) and Jennifer T. Fox (William); his grandchildren Madeleine and Charles Fox and Kari and Bryan Ayres. He is also survived by his sister Robin Wright and his brother Olaf Taylor as well as many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed hiking, backpacking, skiing and especially his cabin in South Park. Services will be held Friday, December 15 th at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral at 11:00 am. Contributions can be made to The Douglas Society, Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood or Crow Canyon Archeological Center.