Joseph Taylor

Joseph Charles (Chuck)Taylor died on December 10, 2014 after a long and valiant struggle with cerebral vascular dementia. He was born on June 19, 1945 in Salt Lake City to William Vaughn Taylor and Mary Dorius Wright. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from San Jose State University in 1969 and his Ph.D from the University of Utah in 1973 in the field of microbiology and biochemistry. He completed post doctoral studies at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in San Diego and at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He worked in medical research at the City of Hope Research Hospital in Duarte, California for ten years before pursuing his true passion of teaching young people to love science. He was incredibly successful in this endeavor. In 1989, he moved his family to Central California, where for the next seventeen years he was very involved in several schools around Kings County. He was selected as the County Teacher of the Year in 1991 and was loved and respected by students and fellow teachers alike. He retired in 2006 because of ill health and moved to Utah to enjoy his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served a mission to Chile in 1964-1967. He loved his Savior and his opportunity to serve in a variety of church callings. One of his favorite callings was as early morning seminary teacher. He loved working with the young people of the church. He loved the outdoors and particularly his daily walks in the mountains with his son, Stephen. His family was always his first priority. He was a kind and thoughtful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a good man, always eager to be of assistance to anyone. We will miss him. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cheryl Ashford Taylor and his children David (Wendy Beth) Taylor, Wendy (Vallen) Thomas, Devyn (Robert) Dayley, and Stephen Taylor. Also survived by nine grandchildren, Taylor, Joshua, and Miranda Thomas; Abigail, Isaac, and Lydia Taylor ; and Bobby, Caleb, and Matthew Dayley. He is also survived by his brother, Vaughn Taylor, (Linda) and four nieces and one nephew. The family would like to express their gratitude to the Aspen Senior Center and to Ashford Memory Care Center for their extraordinary efforts in helping Chuck through his last difficult year. A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 14th at the Sundberg Olpin Funeral Home at 495 S. State Street, Orem from 6:00 to 8:00. Services will be held on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the chapel at 762 E. 1200 North in Orem with a visitation prior from 9:45-10:45a.m. Burial will be at the Orem City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Perpetual Education Program of the LDS church.

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