Taylor Benjamin Simonson

1983 - 2021

Taylor Benjamin Simonson

Taylor Benjamin Simonson was born in the early morning hours of September 20, 1983, in Conrad, MT. His early years were spent living in a farmhouse a few miles north of town. He was surrounded by his parents, grandparent from both sides, uncles, aunts and many cousins. Later his family moved to Great Falls where he started school and in 1990 the family moved to Missoula where he graduated from Big Sky High School in 2002. Taylor attended both the University of Montana and College of Technology.

He held a number of jobs during his career but life was a challenge for Taylor in many ways. These challenges sadly led him to oftentimes make poor decisions. We'll never know all the details but his final day on earth found him doing one thing he loved most and that is driving his pickup on high mountain roads near Alberton. On a rutted road he became stuck and as darkness descended and snow began to fall he tried to walk out from his predicament. During this time he became disorientated and veered off the road to go down a steep gully where he fell causing his death on October 13, 2021.

Taylor particularly loved the outdoors. In addition to driving sketchy roads, he loved to fish and hunt. A lot of his hunting was around Conrad for pheasants and deer. He was also a regular on the annual canoeing trip with his dad, brother and other family friends. These trips produced a lifetime of memories and stories from jumping off cliffs into the rivers to negotiating white water and just sitting around the campfire at night. In the winter he skied with the family and was always known as the biggest risk taker whether it was skiing through the trees or launching himself off a rock precipice.

So many of his best childhood memories were shared with his brother, Ryan, and "almost" brother Jack McGillis. Taylor was happy during these times. Laughter filled the air and the antics were non-stop. But time passes on and the challenges of growing up and older became more difficult for him. Drug usage sadly crept into his life. Treatment facilities became a way of life for him for a period of years.

Taylor was a lifelong Griz fan and anyone who knew him knew he had a passion for his team unlike many others. He was always the loudest, most vociferous fan in his area. Heaven forbid a call went against the Griz. He and his family had many epic text and verbal battles arguing one over the other with his Bobcat uncle and nephews.

Time took its toll on Taylor. The last few years his anger manifested itself in new ways and it became more challenging for him and his family. However, at his core he was a very sweet person who possessed a good heart, no matter how hard he tried to conceal it. Fortunately he was a Christian. He had many long talks with Jesus trying to figure out where he fit in. We know he's now in heaven. He's free of his demons and is surrounded by love.

Taylor is survived by his parents, Bob and Shirley Simonson, his brother, Ryan and wife Bridget and their two sons, Hunter and Grant. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his brother, Kirby, and grandparents on both sides. Any donations may be made to the Missoula County Search and Rescue. We'd like to thank all those who helped search for Taylor including Mark and Mike Mamuzich of Minuteman Aviation. Also, very importantly we thank Missoula County Sheriff's Department led by Sheriff TJ McDermott. They went above and beyond in the search. Finally, our family will be eternally grateful to Detective Mike Sunderland. This wonderful man worked night and day to help us.

A memorial service for Taylor will be held Thursday, July 28, beginning at 11 am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Missoula.