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BORN
1969
DIED
2022
Morgan TAYLOR Obituary
Age 52, of Chatham, New York, passed away suddenly after a brief illness. He was born September 5, 1969, in Kettering, Ohio; the son of Gordon and Elizabeth Taylor. He is preceded in death by his father. Morgan is survived by his beloved wife of 18 years, Rachel Loshak; children, Harvey and Ridley; mother, Elizabeth; sister, Ann; brother, Grant (Katherine); nephews, Scott, Owen, Silas; niece, Rae; and loving extended family members and friends, here and in the UK.
He was a renowned musician in the Dayton music scene of the 1990s and then in New York City's Lower East Side where he met his wife, Rachel, at The Living Room. They were married there in 2004. Morgan created the World of Gustafer Yellowgold with his songwriting and cartooning abilities and began sharing it with children and families. During his journey with Gustafer Yellowgold, he toured all over the United States, England, and Korea and earned two Grammy nominations. His son, Harvey, was born in 2008 and Ridley in 2010; and they continued to tour as a family, making dear friends around the country. Morgan and Rachel settled in the Hudson Valley where they continued to nurture a strong connection to friends and community. Morgan was unbeatable in Pictionary and Name That Tune. He was a lover of hot sauce and Funyuns, and had a weakness for puns, which he wrote, illustrated, and shared often. Morgan truly was the best dad Harvey and Ridley could have asked for. He will be missed terribly by everyone who knew him.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 4:00PM at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 7001 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH 45459. Friends who are unable to attend may view the livestream on the Southminster Presbyterian Church website, www.sminster.com/Morgan-Taylor/. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made out to Taffy Presents or the Hungry for Music Foundation in memory of Morgan. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Morgan TAYLOR
Liz Winfield
August 21, 2022
I first met Morgan in high school and while it would be a few more years before I got to know him well, it was clear to me that he was a joyful and creative soul that made everyone around him smile. In the depths of all the teenage angst that is a high school, Morgan stood out.
Everything he touched was imbued with a playfulness and creativity that was unwavering throughout the years. While some artists found they had to compromise their dreams and treat them as more of a hobby, he hung on. He never gave up. And he did so with grace and humor. He had the best laugh. He really did.
I loved his music and watching his various bands perform but I think most of all I admired his dedication to his dreams. He understood the importance of a creative life. He knew how much the world needed beauty and kindness and love. He was on a mission to give that to everyone he met and touched with his music.
Morgan brought so much light and joy to my children and I through Gustafer Yellowgold. All of his music and his dedication to creating through the years seemed to culminate in this wonderful, silly, poignant thing that touched so many. In thinking of his absence from this world, I am finding comfort in the eternalness of his legacy. He lived a life that not only brought joy and art to many but showed them how important those things are. He cultivated wonder, kindness and beauty and those things will live on through his family and us all.
Karen Martin
August 18, 2022
He brought us joy...And we loved him well
Mark and Ann Daniels
August 18, 2022
Praying comfort, peace, and strength for all of you.
(Elizabeth´s next door neighbors)
Wendy Weinrich
August 18, 2022
I am deeply saddened by the loss of the shining light and laughter of Morgan. He was an important member of our Mountaintop family and was the father that was always available for Harvey and Ridley. I will always remember him fondly and I am holding dear Rachel and Harvey and Ridley in my heart . I love you all. Wendy
Jacquie Hittle
August 18, 2022
Morgan was a good friend to my son Michael. He's making music with him again.
Jim & Carol Bergman
August 18, 2022
Dearest Rachel, Ridley & Harvey, We are thinking of you so much today and sending you some hugs with Chloe and Ryan and also virtually here. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Charlene & Simon
August 17, 2022
Morgan, a truly magnificent talent and friend. We had the best time working with you and shared some real magic while creating together. Your characters and stories will continue to shine.
Rachel, Harvey and Ridley, we are thinking of you and one day we look forward to meeting.
With all our love x
Rynne Stump // Danny Carey
August 16, 2022
we lost a dear friend a few days back & the world lost an incredibly intelligent, compassionate, gifted, unique artist. Morgan Taylor was our beloved friend and most of you have seen him in our backyard performing his Nilsson -Neil Young like inventive pop odyssey tunes starring a yellow raisin hating, eel lovin´ space alien of his likeness named Gustafer Yellowgold. The story begins with the birth of our first son Zola. I searched for good kids music but shortly the echos of Raffi, Burl Ives & doc Watson´s little pickers exhausted & I was on the hunt finding Childrens Music of today a barren landscape. I did a google search for "Intelligent Children´s Music" & an article in the NY times popped up about a man named Morgan Taylor (i.e., aliens, psychedelic, midwest metal head) Immediately I downloaded A Sock Runs Through It and the rest... well if you know me well enough, you know I´ll find you if I need to find you....He´s been a longtime friend ever since. Our hearts go out to Rachel & his two boys Harvey & Ridley. Of course his beloved Gustafer will be crying yellow tears along with DC, our boys & the rest of my family hopefully he´s riding in heaven on his Hot Malt Eagle he def deserves a happy place to land Rest in Peace Morgan
with love the Carey´s. ((photo by @melhummel ))
Rynne Stump
August 16, 2022
Rynne Stump
August 16, 2022
Rynne Stump
August 16, 2022
We lost a dear friend & the world lost an incredibly intelligent, compassionate, gifted, unique artist. Morgan Taylor was our beloved friend and most of you have seen him in our backyard performing his Nilsson -Neil Young like inventive pop odyssey tunes starring a yellow raisin hating, eel lovin´ space alien of his likeness named Gustafer Yellowgold. The story begins with the birth of our first son Zola. I searched for good kids music but shortly the echos of Raffi, Burl Ives & doc Watson´s little pickers exhausted & I was on the hunt finding Childrens Music of today a barren landscape. I did a google search for "Intelligent Children´s Music" & an article in the NY times popped up about a man named Morgan Taylor (i.e., aliens, psychedelic, midwest metal head) Immediately I downloaded A Sock Runs Through It and the rest... well if you know me well enough, you know I´ll find you if I need to find you....He´s been a longtime friend ever since. Our hearts go out to Rachel & his two boys Harvey & Ridley. Of course his beloved Gustafer will be crying yellow tears along with DC, our boys & the rest of my family hopefully he´s riding in heaven on his Hot Malt Eagle he definately
deserves a happy place to land Rest in Peace Morgan
with love the Carey´s
Lisa Moran
August 16, 2022
Lisa Moran
August 16, 2022
Lisa Moran
August 16, 2022
Lisa Moran
August 16, 2022
Lisa Moran
August 16, 2022
These photos are from my wedding reception in 1996.
I met Morgan in high school at Kettering Fairmont.
I was so excited for him and Gustafer Yellowgold, I drove up to Boulder, CO from Colorado Springs in 2009 to see him perform. Just me, kidless. It was an amazing experience to see Morgan up there in front of the big screen, telling and singing his stories. He introduced me to his wife and first born son.
Morgan is one of the kindest people and brightest lights I've ever known. My love and sympathies to Morgan's wife, children, family and friends.
Fidelia Gonzales
August 15, 2022
May you find peace and comfort in this difficult time.
Lori Miller
August 15, 2022
It was always a joy to work with Morgan and Gustafer.
My deepest sympathies to Rachel and the entire Taylor family.
Alisa Kaeser
August 14, 2022
Always a bright light
Bari Koral
August 14, 2022
Oh Rachel and family. I was just thinking of you recently we adopted two girls one is a visual artist and I was thinking of your family and the boys. I am gutted to hear about this. Morgan was/is an amazing artist whos impact will last long beyond his lifetime. I am so sorry and sad and cannot fathom your loss. I will come see you in Kingston. It would be so nice to celebrate him and his contribution to kids and life and friends. I hope to see you in a Kingston soon I am thinking about you and feel devastated for you. I am not sure how much family you have up here I´m sure you have some but please consider us as well when you need something. We love you! Love bari, Danny, tuli and gage
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