Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Murray Taylor "JT"

St George UT

SMSGT (Retired, Airforce ) Jonathan Murray Taylor ("JT") came into this world earlier than expected, February 6, 1976 and left it again, suddenly - - and much earlier than expected on April 4, 2013.

Jon was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to parents Murray & Collene Taylor. The miracle of his life was indeed, a celebration being the only son amongst 3 older sisters, and his "little" sister who came almost six years later.

Jon was a happy "sparkly spirit" who loved sports, literature, writing, nature and Life!

Fiercely devoted he and his sisters were bound together by secret escapades, triumphs, & expectations of being part of a forever family. They understood who they were, what they had the potential to become and each of them in their own way took on the adventure of living with gusto.

Jon graduated in 1994 from Pine View High School and in 1998 graduated from Southern Utah University. He joined the Air Force right after his high school graduation and in 17 short years proved to be an asset to his beloved Air Force. He has a stellar record of service with the Air Force including Airman of the Year, earning the rank of MSGT before he was 25. He was among one of the youngest airmen to receive the rank of SMSGT. He had no guile and he was generous, honest, thrifty and smart. He began living the motto of treasuring integrity at a very early age, and that quality only improved through the years. He tried hard to never speak ill of another and the result explains the huge spectrum of friends he claims as his extended family.

He married Priscilla Ruof January 24, 2004 and was deployed to Balad, Iraq three days later. They were later divorced. After his deployment, and return home, Jonathan was altered. His sensitive nature and spirit were willing to serve, but the effect of the war weighed heavily upon him. It seems fitting to declare "not all casualties of the war in Iraq were on foreign soil."

Jon is survived by his most treasured and beloved son, Aidan Justice Taylor (age 13); daughter Angela Monique (21); parents Murray & Collene Taylor (Washington), Fiancé Sarah Curtis Richards; Sisters Marnie Lee (Vance) Gough, Jana Darlene (Damon) Hunn, TaraLyn (Laymon) Adams and Erin Jean (Adam) Mathews. Nieces and nephews: Jaden, Taylor & Allie Blake, John & Kate Gough; Alexander Hunn; Carolyn, Mellany, Heather, Logan, McCabe, KayLee and Hannah Adams. Loving Aunt Judy Farnsworth and Uncles Robert (Bob) and Steve Breckenridge. Aunt Gayle Taylor & her family, Uncle Ken Taylor and his family and numerous other cousins and cherished friends whom he claimed as "Family" and his beloved "fat cat" Pablo.

Though we will dearly miss our "sparkling" loved one, he is happy where he is and would not want us to mourn too long. He had many quotes and mantras that he lived by, and we would like everyone who knew and loved him to remember this, last of all: "When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself." Tecumseh, Shawnee Leader Circa 1800. Jon, we celebrate you! We will see you again! Mam's.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, April 10, 2013. Friends may call Wednesday at 10:30 am. Services will commence at 12:00 at Heideman Hughes Mortuary, 1037East 700 South, St. George, UT. Interment will take place in the Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

Arrangements made under the direction of Heideman Hughes Morturary, 1037 East 700 South St. George, UT, (435) 674-5000. In leiu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Organization for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.