Denzel L. Taylor

Loa, Utah - Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Denzel Leonard Taylor, age 89, died October 19, 2009 at his home in Loa. He was born April 12, 1920 in Loa, Utah, a son of Hyrum Leonard and Cora Ann Rees Taylor. He graduated from Wayne High School, Class of 1939. Denzel married Jean Torgerson, July 19, 1940 in the Manti LDS Temple. World War II broke out and he was drafted into the US Army in March of 1945, leaving Jean with two small children. After the war, he returned home to his wife and family and made his living as a rancher and farmer. He also worked for Wayne County as a heavy equipment operator. Denzel was an active member of the LDS Church, serving in many different callings, including Bishopric, Ward and Stake Sunday School President, on the Stake High Council, Stake Missionary and a Temple worker for 13 years. He served a Mission with his wife, Jean, in New York from 1986 to 1987. Denzel enjoyed hunting, camping, activities with his family and riding horses. He was a member of the Riding Club and the American Legion. He is survived by his loving bride of 69 years, Jean, of Loa; eight children: Rhea Casper of West Valley City; Denzel Eugene and Jackie Taylor of Layton; Angela and Darwin Henrie, Helen and Layne Jones, all of Loa; Thomas Taylor of Miami, Florida; L. Andy and Diane Taylor of South Jordan; Lucy Ann and Matt Webster, Dan Kay and Jeanette Taylor, all of Bicknell; 33 grandchildren; 30 great-grandcildren; and a brother, Eldon Taylor of Mapleton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Cora Taylor; a sister, Lois Bird; two sons-in-law: Robert M. “Bob” Nelson and Keith C. Casper; two grandsons, Andrew Taylor Nelson and Alex T. Casper, and a great-grandson, Alexander K. Casper. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. in the Loa LDS Stake Center, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Saturday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 will be in the Loa Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.