Philip Taylor of Salt Lake City passed away peacefully on August 4, 2017. Born November 21, 1938, Phil was the fourth child of nine. His parents were Dave and Nellie Taylor. He received his education in Salt Lake City schools. He graduated from West High where he excelled in his favorite sport, wrestling. He also played football, and admired his coach, Glen Tuckett. It was at West High where he claimed he met the cutest girl he had ever seen. He married Judy Jorgensen on June 27, 1957 in the Salt Lake LDS temple. He attended the University of Utah for about 10 minutes. He completed two apprenticeships through the IBEW-354, going on to become a master electrician, and was a proud union member. He retired after 42 years of membership in the Union Hall, serving as a dispatcher for years. Phil loved his job and looked forward to work each and every day, whether it was below 0 or over 100 degrees. In addition to his union labor, Phil taught electrical classes at Salt Lake Community College. It was because of his respect within the electrical union, the labor for installing lights at West High's stadium was provided at no cost. He was also asked to oversee the electrical part of the St. George LDS temple renovation. He and his sweetheart and kids loved living in St. George for 5 years.
Phil has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in three bishoprics and on the High Council. For one church calling, he taught and cared for animals on Pioneer State Farm. The calling he loved far above the others was working with the youth, the young men in the Edison Ward.
Phil lived for the past 30 years with a neurological disease called spinal cerebellar ataxia. His heart was large and giving, but took him away from us in the end. Our thanks go out to Bristol Hospice, especially Tamara, Robyn, and Juliet. A special person in Phil and Judy's life was Dr. Kathleen Digre, their neurologist. She became like a family member as she cared for him through the treatment of this rare disease.
Despite being seriously ill for 30 years and mostly bed-ridden for eight years, complaints never left his mouth. In fact, every single time he was asked how he was doing, he would reply that he never felt better! He and Judy were always so grateful for the help received from their children and their children's spouses during his illness. Living next to their daughter, Tami, and her family was a particular blessing during this trial.
Phil is survived by his wife, Judy, daughter Tami (Mike) Bennett of Salt Lake City, and sons, Kip (Alison) of Bountiful, Matthew of Layton, and Chad (Holly) of West Farmington as well as 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Bobbie (Gary) Bourne, Dave (Sandra) Taylor, Katie Hernandez, Nellie Jean Bennett, Barbara (Joe) Netols, Robert (Gay) Taylor, and Lamar (Stephanie) Taylor. Also surviving are his brother-in-law William (Laurie) Jorgensen, and sister-in-law Barbara (Wes) Roller, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-law's, Bill and Mae Jorgensen, his brother, Henry, his brothers-in-law Wes Bennett and Richard Hackett, his sisters-in-law Colleen Barrett and Janet Adams, and great-grandson Anthony Florez-Bennett.
A viewing will be held on Friday, August 11, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple in Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. in Sandy. A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens cemetery.
