Skip Gerald Taylor

     Life began for Skip Taylor October 31st 1942, a Halloween baby that gave so much more than he received.  If you ask my Dad however, life actually began when he met and later married my mom, Rosemarie Stidham Taylor January 9th 1961.  His world would center around her for nearly 55 years.  He grew up in Selma, CA.,entered the Army in 1959 with a career in Communications and ended with an honorable discharge in 1962. Then settled down in Fresno, CA with my mom and later me, born September 2nd 1968 in what I refer to as the first phase of his life.

      After a time at Truck Driving and working Security...his late start as a Police officer reservist began in 1979 in Mendota,CA.  This led to the attendance  and graduation of the Police Academy at Fresno city College in 1982 at age 40 surrounded by officers half his age.  He was a fighter his entire life and as proud as he was of me, I was so very proud of him that day. 

     The second phase of his life as I call it...began in April 1988 when he took the transfer job to the Dorris police department where he fell in love with the peaceful beauty, landscape and people of Siskiyou county. My Dad and my Mom found their dream home with its lush 2.5 acres and home to live out the rest of their lives together.  The citizens of Dorris embraced my father as a Police officer rising to the ranks of Sergeant and later acting Chief of police til its own department demise in 1996.  However this did not stop my father's dedication to his community for nearly 25 years as he remained involved with the Butte Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Unified School District as a governing board member.  He was even voted Citizen of the year in 1991 after receiving a Certificate of Commendation from the Attorney General of CA in that same year. It was not until my Mom's failing health starting in 2010 that my father put my mother first and stepped permanently away and took care of his wife til her passing in 2013. 

       The last years of his life were dedicated to his family and great friends.  His granddaughter Lauren Marie Taylor was born in 1997 although separated by 500 miles...he always tried to visit and send her gifts. His adopted granddaughter  Kendra Chadwell as i call her, who he embraced as his own and of coarse his community of friends that embraced him as their own. He touched so many lives and was blessed with so many great friends.  My Dad's impact was much like the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life",  because no matter how hard life gets you down and how much you begin to question your very own existence, someone comes and reminds you just how important your life was to so many people. You were my Rock Dad as you were the strength to so many other souls you encountered.  You once told me your job was to make my life a little more easier for me than it ever was for you.  You accomplished that Dad on every level.  I love you with all my heart and soul Dad and you are with Mom again. 

     So its my turn now to chase away the monsters and for God to lead you to greener pastures and bring you lasting peace. You will be missed and in the hearts of so many that were lucky enough to know you.  In memory of my father, Skip Taylor.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Skip Gerald Taylor, please visit our floral store.