Jerald G. Taylor

West Jordan, Utah - Jerald G. Taylor, age 82, died peacefully April 30, 2020 in Murray, after a short illness. He was born October 29, 1937 in Ely, Nevada to Linford C. Taylor and Deon Shaw Taylor. At the age of 5, his family moved to Aurora, Utah where he and his older brother, Gene, were raised. Jerald graduated from North Sevier High School in the class of 1955. He continued his education at Snow College, Utah State, and Utah Technical College. Jerald enjoyed learning and was a good student, he received exceptional grades, except for the one time he skipped class at Snow College to go hunting and the professor reminded him by writing it on his report card. Kids gotta do, what a kids gotta do. Jerald married Gwen Brown, his sweetheart of nearly 63 years, on July 20, 1957 in the Manti Temple. Together they had 5 children: Kenny, Jerry, Kathy, Gaylene, and Jeff. Jerald retired from Kennecott Copper as Lineman in 1999 after 41 years. It was there that he built some of his lifelong friendships. He loved his work and was proud to be a part of Kennecott for his entire career, even creating his own CB handle “Copper Penny” in recognition. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, riding his side-by-side and wood working. He spent many hours in his garage creating or finishing some type of furniture for himself, his wife, one of his kids or grandkids. Jerald was one of the most generous people you could ever meet and would not hesitate to lend or even give something of his to you if he thought you could use it. One of his greatest pleasures was watching his grandkids and their activities. Whether it was dancing or teaching dance; playing sports or coaching; creating music or taking photographs, he loved nothing more than seeing his grandkids excel at whatever it was they did. He also would take any opportunity he could to talk about his grandkids to whomever would listen. A recent pastime he and Gwen enjoyed together was watching Colorado Rockies baseball games and old Perry Mason tv shows. He also had the unique ability, no matter where he was, to strike up a conversation with anyone like they had been the best of friends. Jerald is survived by his loving wife Gwen, children Jerry (Terri) Taylor, Kathy (Steve) Holt, Gaylene (Dan) Davidson, and Jeff (Megan) Taylor; grandchildren Brandi (Jonathan) Johansen, Jerid (Ashley) Taylor, Jeremy (Sarah) Holt, Josh (Lexi) Holt, Chandler (Demi) Davidson, Logan (Joy) Davidson, Kaydence Taylor, Preslee Taylor, Khloe Taylor, and Jagger Taylor; great-grandchildren Rylan Holt, Rowan Holt and Jameson Taylor; and his brother, Gene Taylor. He is preceded in death by his parents, Linford and Deon Taylor, his son Kenny; and a sister-in-law, Helen Taylor. Graveside services will be Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 12:00 Noon in the Aurora Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.