5. | Leon Packer Taylor (1.Vaughn1)Notes:
Obituary:
Leon Packer Taylor
KALISPELL - Leon Packer Taylor passed away on Friday, Aug. 12, 2005, at the Brendan House in Kalispell after a brief battle with cancer.
Leon was born Oct. 6, 1924, in Preston, Idaho, to Vaughn Franklin and Anna Parkinson (Packer) Taylor.
He attended schools in the Weston, Idaho, area and at age 15 entered a job training program in Logan, Utah, in general metals. He found that he had a great talent for welding and this proved to direct the course of his career for the rest of his life. He got a job as a welder in a shipyard in California and then joined the Navy and was a welder on an aircraft carrier, the USS Corrigador, for about 2 1/2 years during World War II.
Leon married Loretta Rae Griffiths on March 18, 1943, in Weston, Idaho. They were sealed in the Logan (Utah) Temple of The Church of Latter-day Saints on Nov. 16, 1945.
After a short stay in California, Leon and Loretta bought a farm in Preston, Idaho, and then a potato farm in Whitehall. After a short stay in Butte, they moved to Missoula in 1959 where Leon worked for Western Foundry, welding parts for bridge beams. In 1969, Leon started working for the Champion International Paper Mill in Missoula where he worked for 20 years as a maintenance supervisor and did specialized maintenance on boilers.
In 1979, the Taylors moved to Pablo, beginning 22 fun-filled years of retirement.
In 1983, Leon had a stroke, paralyzing the left side of his body. After extensive therapy and great determination, he regained some movement on the left side of his face and leg. He used this difficult experience to help others with similar experiences. He understood their struggles and had a joke and a golf cart ride ready to lift their spirits.
In 1987, Leon and Loretta began wintering in Mesa, Ariz., and summering in Montana.
Leon's greatest joys were his family and making people laugh.
He and Loretta recently spent their 60th wedding anniversary in Hawaii with their children.
Leon was an avid sportsman and loved the outdoors of Montana.
His family and friends will miss him very much.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Loretta Taylor of Kalispell and his seven children, Dennis Taylor and wife Emily of Missoula, Cheryl Wraught and husband Frank of Kalispell, Vyonne Zentner and husband Robert of Bullhead City, Ariz., Bradley Taylor and wife Julie of Sheridan, Wyo., Blaine Taylor and wife Annie of Virginia Beach, Va., Michelle Lies and husband Mark of Great Falls and Lisa Hager and husband DeJohn of Eagle Mountain, Utah; 28 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by two sisters, LaPriel Price and husband Eugene of Brigham City, Utah, and Norma Bayes and husband Ted of Red Bluff, Calif.; brothers DeMar Taylor and wife Joanne, Keith Taylor and wife Rhea and Garth Taylor and wife Norma, all of Dillon, and Paul Taylor and wife Diane of Polson; and numerous extended family members.
Visitation for Leon will be noon-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Johnson Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kalispell with Bishop Frank Wraught officiating.
Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Leon's family.
"Leon Packer Taylor." Missoulian.com Web. 14 August 2005. Accessed online 25 Sep 2015.
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