Dean Taylor

William "Dean" Taylor peacefully passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2016 while surrounded by his family. Dean was born January 9, 1945 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to John William Taylor (Bill) and Virginia Brown Taylor. He was the third of seven children-six boys and one girl. Working beside his brothers and dad he learned carpentry, cars, and how to do something right the first time. He had the gentle spirit and humor of his mom and the hardworking spirit of his dad. He loved being from a big family.

In the spring of 1970 he met Sherrey Weaver and they were married December 9, 1970 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were blessed with six children and fifteen grandchildren.

Dean served a mission to the Alaskan-Canadian Mission and it was one of the highlights of his life. He loved the people he served, loved teaching, and he loved the landscape. Many Family Home Evenings were spent watching dad’s slide collection from his mission. Dean served in many church callings over the years but he really enjoyed being High Priest Group Leader and Ward Finance Clerk-and especially appreciated all the associations he made through these opportunities over the years.

In his early working years, Dean worked in a bakery and learned the art of cake decorating. He would spend many, many intensive hours decorating amazing birthday cakes and wedding cakes for family and extended family. He worked many years with his dad building potato cellars and on other projects. Dean was amazing at woodworking, carpentry and upholstery. He worked as a furniture repairman for Ahlstrom’s Furniture for 15 years. He worked at the Idaho Falls Temple as a Mechanical Engineer for a few years and spent many years before retirement working for the LDS Church as a Maintenance Foreman.

With his dad, Dean built our family home 44 years ago and through those following years, he took a special interest in passing his knowledge and skills onto his children. He enjoyed working with his hands and teaching his family through action as much as words. He took pleasure in painting, gardening, rock-collecting, jewelry-making, fishing, camping, and anything family-related. He loved to travel (especially cruises) and his intellect made him curious about other cultures and places, and he loved to learn-especially about history. His spiritual strength and testimony fortified and taught his family for generations to come. His quiet smirk and dry-humor will keep them laughing. His simplicity and perfectionism will keep them grounded.

Dean is survived by his wife, Sherrey, and children, Julie (Ted) Beaver, Paula (Michael) Gamber, Mark (Candace) Taylor, Mindi (Troy) Stafford, Richard (Crystal) Taylor, and Ryan (Britton) Taylor, his 15 grandchildren, Alyssa, Jordan, Bailee, Nathan, Benjamin, Elly, Cole Makai, Cole Richard, Paige, Crew, Patrick, Joseph, Liam, William, and Jax. He is also survived by his siblings Lonnie (Shirley), Vern (LaNea), Duane (Vada), Karen (Ron), and Dave (Chris) and his mother-in-law, Nina Weaver. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Kay Taylor, and father-in-law, Samuel Weaver.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2016, at the Idaho Falls LDS Pioneer Ward (2020 Charlotte Dr.). The family will visit with friends on Friday from 6-8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge) and on Saturday from 12:30-1:15 p.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in New Sweden Cemetery.

Funeral Services will be held