Keith Taylor, Sr

Keith D. Taylor, Sr. - 12/11/2001 Keith D. Taylor, Sr. - 12/11/2001 KEITH D. TAYLOR, SENIOR IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Keith Davis Taylor, 82, long-time Idaho Falls resident, died of natural causes on December 9, 2001. He was born on January 31, 1919, in Kimball, Idaho, the son of James Boyce and Luella Davis Taylor. Keith spent his adolescent years working on the family farm and attending school in Firth. He graduated from Firth High School in 1937 and went on to attend Utah State Agriculture College in Logan, Utah. In June 1941, prior to his graduation from Utah State, he was drafted into the United States Army. He was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, with which he was involved in the invasions of the Aleutian Islands, Kwajalein Atoll, the Philippines, and Okinawa. In the Aleutian invasion, he was awarded the Purple Heart, which he declined. He was also awarded the Bronze Star. After returning from the war, he worked on construction of the Palisades Dam. He resumed his education at Utah State, completing his Bachelor of Science in agriculture with a minor in botany. He later studied at Idaho and Colorado State to receive his Masters. He began his professional career as agriculture teacher at Firth High School, where he met Peggy Lagos, who was on the faculty teaching both science and home economics. Keith and Peggy were married on August 15, 1948, which was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple after her death. In 1968, Peggy died at age 43 from complications associated with open heart surgery. Peggy had seven sisters and a brother, with whom Keith remained close throughout his life. In June 1969, Keith married Dorothea ("Dottie") Hutchinson, a widow from Southern California with ties to Southeastern Idaho. During retirement, Keith and Dotty served an agricultural mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to Taos, New Mexico. Dotty died in July, 2001, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Keith's dedication to all his family was an inspiration to all who knew him. After 15 years at Firth High, Keith took a position as agriculture teacher at Idaho Falls High School. He continued at Idaho Falls until 1966, when he moved to the new Skyline High School. At the conclusion of the 1981 academic year, Keith retired from teaching. His professional career included advisor to Future Farmers of America (FFA), past President of the FFA Idaho Chapter, and an FFA National Lifetime Achievement Award . He also was an advisor with the Bonneville County Fair and local 4-H Clubs. "Mr. Taylor," as he was known by his students, will be remembered as a close friend, a teacher of practical lessons, and someone with whom to share a fun-loving joke. Keith is survived by the four children he raised with his first wife, Peggy. Their children include Nickolas of Idaho Falls, Christina (Ted) Swatsenbarg of Idaho Falls, Keith, Jr. (Diana) of Seattle, Washington, and Mark (Karen) of Centreville, Virginia. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, his brother, Arlin, of Kimball, his sister, Barbara (Wally) Malm, of Wapello, Idaho, and two step-children, Gary (Susan) Hutchinson of Newark, Ohio, and Linda (Rex) White of Cleo Springs, Oklahoma. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 Noon Thursday, December 13, 2001, at the Taylor Crossing Ward (2040 Brentwood Drive) with Bishop Charles Horsburgh conducting. The family will meet with friends and family Wednesday, December 12th, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave., in Idaho Falls and Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. at the Taylor Crossing Ward Building. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, c/o Carol M. Armstrong, 585 First Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401 or the Future Farmers of America-Firth Chapter, c/o Firth High School Ag Dept., 101 N. Park Ave., Firth, Idaho 83236. [ Previous Obituary - Donalee Whittaker | Current Obituary | Next Obituary - Timothy W. Clifford ]