Dan Duane "D." Taylor

Dan Duane Taylor, 68, passed away naturally on October 6, 2025. God gave him wings to fly free after a long, courageous, inspiring battle with illness.

Dan was born on December 15, 1956, in Billings, MT, to parents William Duane Taylor and Delores (Lawrence) Taylor. He was the oldest of three children, raised in the house his dad built, in the railroad community of Laurel, MT. He remained close to his parents, his sister, Terri, and his brother, Todd, and their families, lifelong and across the miles. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends outdoors in the mountainous wilderness and waters, where a lifetime of memories have been captured. He especially loved the stillness of the Montana prairie, where he could see the horizon meet the Big Sky as far as the eye could see.

Early on Dan began a laborious working path, hoeing beets in the hot sun on Yager Farm "all damn day!", mending miles of fences, installing fiberglass insulation hours beyond the "fiberglass itch," and working with his dad as a carpenter for Kober Construction in Billings, building homes, churches and more.

Dan graduated from Laurel High School where he played basketball and football. He played trumpet in the school band and sang in the school choir, Laurel High School's acapella choir, Laurelaires. Dan had a talented passion for music and was the lead singer of his band with friends, traveling across the northwest. He studied classical guitar under the tutelage of Christopher Parkening teachings, and loved to write music, sing, play music, join harmonies, and perform, lifelong.

He moved to Arvada, CO, and worked as a bartender to support his music pursuits, and enrolled in a music electronics program in Denver, CO. It was there where he met his wife, Patricia, and never the two shall part. Dan and Patricia were married on December 12, 1982 and shared 42 loving years together. Their marriage was blessed with the birth of two children, Patricia "Elizabeth" and William Daniel.

Dan graduated from the University of Montana, Missoula, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a minor in vocal music. While in college, Dan performed triumphantly in college recitals and sang as a baritone in church choirs, where he mostly enjoyed singing in harmony with others. He continued to bartend and use his many skills to work as a carpenter, singer, and start his own home renovation business, TaylorMade. After moving to Corvallis, OR, where Dan worked in sales for GAF, he transferred to New Jersey and they bought a house. He continued to work in construction and lighting design sales until going back to his roots working with an independent carpenter, where he crafted a wooden-shelving unit and brought it over by ferry to Ellis Island to install for display. Dan enjoyed wood-working as another one of his lifelong hobbies, along with playing classical guitar, harmonica, writing music and a keen sense of baking and cooking from helping his mother at home. Dan worked for Insync Outsourcing Corporation, with whom he remains friends, and from where he retired.

Dan was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #1345. He especially enjoyed the events and the parades through the years. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for your continued encouragement and support.

Dan is preceded in death by his father; and his sister, Terri. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; Dumont, NJ, his daughter, Patricia "Elizabeth" (Alan) Vilchock, Sparta, NJ, his son, William Taylor, Dumont, NJ, and grandson Austin Michael Vilchock, his mother, Delores (Ed) Lawrence; Clancy, MT, and brother, Todd (Mary) Taylor, WA, many nieces and nephews, and their families; as well as, many supportive family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Frech-McKnight Funeral Home, 161 Washington Avenue, Dumont, NJ 07628. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of the donor's choice in Dan's name. God Bless. You can reach out to Dan amongst the angels and stars for encouragement and support in your daily lives.