Michael Taylor

1953 - 2014

Michael Dennis Taylor

Billings —Michael Dennis Taylor

The world lost a fun, generous, loving soul on Oct. 3, 2014, after a 141-day battle from complications of heart surgery. Michael Dennis Taylor was born on Oct. 29, 1953, in Havre, to Ernest (Ternie) and Margaret Taylor.

He grew up in Chinook, attending Chinook High School, where his passion for basketball began. He loved being on the Sugarbeeter basketball team. Mike graduated proudly with the class of 1972. After high school, Mike moved to Billings and attended Eastern Montana College, where he met many of his lifelong friends. One month after his graduation in 1976, he married Priscilla Blotkamp. In 1980, they welcomed their first child, Angela, and were blessed again in 1982 with their daughter Sara. The girls were Mike's pride and joy! Although they decided to end their marital union, Mike and Priscilla always remained close friends throughout life. They always made sure that their little girls had a solid family, even celebrating holidays together.

Mike started his career in the home electronics business and, in 1984, he opened Video Sat & Sound. He proudly owned this business for nearly 20 years. He was the epitome of the "greatest salesman," a trait he learned from his father.

Mike deeply loved his girls. He was always there for them. He would drop anything in a moment's notice to help or even just to talk. His family was his life. He was the glue of our family, something that can never be replaced. He loved teaching Sara to play basketball and went to every single one of her games, cheering her on. He could also be found proudly attending Angie's majorette performances during high school games. He spoiled them with many special memorable vacations Hawaii, Canada and Disneyland, just to name a few!

In 2005, Michael married Tamalee. They shared their time together traveling to Mexico, enjoying good music and hosting holidays at their house for the families.

Mike developed many close friends, relationships he cherished to the end. He loved to have a good time and lived life to the fullest. He was a well-known prankster (the golden slipper), a die-hard Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan (Rock Chalk Jayhawk), a lover of all music and a jet-skiing fool! Those who knew him well had the privilege of experiencing his fun nature and the impact he had on every single person he met, even those he met in brief passing.

In 2008, Mike finally got the son he never had when Angie married Travis. He had an incredible bond with his son-in-law. It is said that daughters marry those just like their father; in this case it is true! They even had pet names for one another, lovingly referring to each other as FIL and SIL. He was so proud to have Travis in our family!

Mike defined generosity. He spent almost every single day for the last four years playing cribbage or pinochle with his father. He also donated blood monthly to United Blood Services, as he was the universal donor. When his mother was ill, he spent many days donating his platelets to her. His final act of generosity came the day he passed away. Mike donated his eyes and they immediately found TWO recipients who matched. An individual who has never seen a day in their life will now have the gift of sight, thanks to Mike!

In 2010, Mike was blessed with his only grandchild. Porter believed Grandpa Mike could walk on water, and vice versa. Those two shared a bond that will never be broken. Mike was in love with Porter from the moment he was born. He loved playing with Porter, teaching him funny sayings such as "Let's go chase girls," and proudly fundraising for the March of Dimes to support his little preemie. It's because of Mike's help, connections and generous friends that the Kennedys were the #1 Fundraising Team in Montana in 2014.

His other loves were his grand-dogs, whom he adored! Mike always loved Spook, Zeek, Mac, Ty and Parker!

Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret; and infant sister, Margaret Mary.

Mike is survived by his father, Ternie; daughter Angie (Travis) Kennedy; daughter Sara Taylor; grandson Porter Kennedy; brothers Dave (Connie) Taylor; Leanne (Don) Knapp; Mark (Linda) Taylor; nephew Matthew (Katie) Frye; nephew Michael (Hadley) Frye; and niece Whitney Taylor.

If you knew Mike, you knew you had a friend in him. Because of his sense of humor, generosity and his charm, he had more friends than we could ever list.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 2055 Woody Drive. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the Knights of Columbus. As everyone knew, Mike loved tie-dye, so we ask that you wear your tie-dye shirt to celebrate his life on Friday.

We would like to thank Dad's closest friends who spent many days and nights standing by our family the last 141 days. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements and remembrances may be shared with the family at www.michelottisawyers.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to defray the cost of medical expenses to First Interstate Bank, attn: Jennifer Schaaf, PO Box 30918, Billings, MT 59116.