Franklin Richard Taylor Obituary (1930 - 2011)

Franklin Richard Taylor, or Dick, as he came to be known, was born Salt Lake City, Utah, in March of 1930. He told his grandchildren that he was born premature, so small that he was fed with an eye dropper for some time and was kept in a doll's cradle. A small start didn't slow him down, however and he grew up, not so quietly, as the first of four children, followed by Junior, Gil, and Sherry. He was married to the love of his life, Joyce Delphine Johnson, in the Salt Lake City Temple on July 22nd, 1952. They moved to Sacramento, California, where they raised their four children, Larry, Roxane, Mike, and Dan. They now have 19 Grandchildren and 16 Great-Grandchildren. Father was preceded in death by their only daughter Roxane in 2009. He joined the war effort in Korea by doing what came naturally: fixing things. After an aptitude test that showed a natural tendency toward mechanics he was put to work repairing the engines of large military aircraft. He was shipped first to Okinawa and then to Guam where his famous "I killed the last dinosaur" story took place. It is a famous story in the family. After the war, he moved to Sacramento after marrying the lovely Joyce Johnson whom he had met at a dance. As a civilian contractor he worked at McClellan Air Force base, until he retired with 40 years of service under his belt. He spent his life helping his family and others with his mechanic capabilities. Strangers on the side of the road often received his assistance and there probably wasn't a single appliance in the Taylor home that hadn't received his attention at one time or another. He could fix anything and he blessed the lives of those around him with this talent. Dick was known for many things among family and friends. Church members knew he couldn't get through a talk without a lengthy discourse on the prophet John Taylor, who he was a direct descendant of and the family could always count on seeing his picture on the wall in the Taylor home. He also spent countless hours with the Boy Scouts of America organization, completing innumerable 50 mile hikes, helping boys earn merit badges and encouraging his own kids to become Eagle Scouts. When he finally had to stop, when he just couldn't take 50 milers anymore, it was a sad day and he was truly missed. He started fly fishing at an early age, and popular belief is that his Uncle Earl introduced him to the sport. Over the years one could see him in his living room sitting at a table set up with magnifying glasses, hooks and thread, tying his very own flies. He never failed to be generous, often giving them up to friends and family. He took his own joy from sharing what he loved with others, and relished in his gifts' recipient's delight. Dancing was another of Dick's enjoyments along the course of his life. Not only did he meet his wife at a dance, but he entertained his grandchildren by dancing with them sometimes. Just within the last year, at a convention at a hotel, he asked complete strangers to dance to a band playing in the hotel, only to become so popular as a partner that it wore him out. He enjoyed spending time with others, being silly, and appreciated the simpler joys of life.