Ted R. Taylor

Loa, Utah - Ted Russell Taylor, 69, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, passed away on January 1, 2016 in Las Vegas, NV after suffering a heart attack. He was born on September 11, 1946 in Richfield, UT, to Evan Merild and Verla May Edwards Taylor, he was one of five siblings. Ted was a graduate of Wayne High School, Class of 1964, where he met and married Charlene Brian. Together, they had two sons, Ricky R. and Jay R. Taylor. Charlene and Ted later divorced. Ted spent a short-time in California working as a construction worker where he discovered his natural ability to operate heavy equipment, his passion was the backhoe. He furthered his education by attending a trade school where he received accreditation as a Land Surveyor. Later, he moved back to Wayne County to help his dad on the ranch while working for the USFS Fishlake District. The bulk of Ted’s career was spent working for the Wayne County Road Department, where he retired after 28 years of service. In 1984, he married the love of his life Peggy Nielsen at the Fish Lake Lodge. Together, they have spent a life-time raising children, running a working ranch, and enjoying each other’s company. Ted had a passion for dancing, he always said, “I would rather dance then eat.” It didn’t matter if he had a dance partner or not, the dance floor was never empty when he was near. As a true cowboy, he spent the majority of his life doing what he loved…riding down to the desert and up to U.M. where he tended his cattle and forged forever relationships with family and friends. He had an infectious way of making people feel comfortable, which resulted in making friends out of strangers. He had an unrivaled charismatic personality about him that touched many hearts. After his retirement, Ted and Peggy enjoyed traveling around the country and globe with their sidekicks, Ted’s sister Lois, and Annie Bangs. Ted’s grandkids were a big part of his life, and he looked forward to spending as much time with them as possible. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of farm equipment and ranch life with them, attended numerous sporting events to cheer them on, and looked forward to large family gatherings where he could spoil them with hugs and kisses. Ted is survived by his wife, Peggy; four sons Ricky R. (Lora) Taylor; Jason (Dana) Taylor; Justin (Dawna) Taylor; Jordan (Lisa) Crane; his grandchildren Trista (Kade) Nielson; Saige (Trinity) Edwards; Dakota (Katie) Taylor; Adam (Stacy) Martinez; Aaron (Erica) Martinez; Jade (Joe) O’Banion; Jaxton Taylor; Amber (LeeJay) Bryant; Brooke Barney; Samantha Taylor Crane; and Austin Taylor; his brother Doug (Janette) Morrell; and sisters Evelyn (Clenn) Okerlund and Lois Croman. He is preceded in death by his parents Evan and Verla, son Jay R., and infant sister Elaine. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the Loa LDS Stake Center. Viewings will be held at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Richfield on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and the Stake Center in Loa on Saturday morning from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in the Fremont Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.