Jack B. Taylor

Jack Bernard Taylor, 81, of Pray, Montana, passed on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016, with his daughter by his side. True love does exist and he went to be with his sweetheart once again. Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory. A memorial funeral service will be held at 2 p.m.; Saturday, April 30th, at the Franzen-Davis Chapel. Fellowship will follow the service at the funeral home. Memorials are preferred to Special Olympics Montana P.O.Box 3507 Great Falls, MT 59403 (www.somt.org) or Eagle Mount Bozeman 6901 Goldenstein Lane, Bozeman MT 59715 (www.eaglemount.org). Jack was born on October 25, 1934, in Billings, MT. He was the only son of 3 children to Robert Bo and Urma (DeLong) Taylor. The family lived in Silesia. They ranched in Silesia, the upper Shields Valley at the old McReynolds place, 8 miles east of Clyde Park at the Walters place, Cokedale until that lease ended and moved to the Wescott place between Deep Creek and Pine Creek and finally bought a ranch and settled in Pray in March 1945. Jack attended schools east of Clyde Park, Cokedale, Pine Creek, Arrowhead in Pray and graduated from Park County High, Livingston in 1952. In high school he wrestled, played the trombone in band, was a member of Future Farmers of America, and as a junior was selected to The American Legion Montana Boys State. Jack worked for a year following high school before he became the first in his family to attend college. He attended Montana State College earning his degree in education in 1961. He was a member of the Montana State DeMolay Conclave, the Ag Club and Sigma Nu Fraternity. While at college he helped work on the Strand Union Building and finished the roofing on the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. On June 19, 1955, Jack was united in marriage to Vounbera "Vonnie" Lee Hunter-Ford, at the Bozeman United Methodist Church. This marriage was blessed with two children, Steve and Terry Kay. The family lived in the dormitories while Jack was in college and during the summers they would follow him around the state as he took jobs in order to pay for his education. Following Jacks graduation he took his first teaching job in Coleville, California. The family settled there until Jack took a position in Porterville, California. He taught Elementary school in Coleville, Porterville and Strathmore, before taking a job with the Porterville Developmental Center where he taught for thirty years and retired in 1999. He also worked for the Lindsey Olive Plant as a Lab Tech, as a Security Guard patrolling dances, the Rocky Hills Speedway and many other events. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and the next day set off to return to the family homestead in Pray. They made Pray their home since 2005. Jack and Vonnie enjoyed their 40 years in California as they attended every dance that they could and were the last ones to leave the dance floor. They cherished their social life, always enjoying the company of others. Jack was a member of the Porterville Methodist Church, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge (served as Governor), Porterville Elks Lodge (served as Esteemed Leading Knight). Jack loved to take the family traveling, which included annual summers back to Montana, riding horses and helping at the ranch. Jack and Vonnie enjoyed traveling with their RV, going for country rides, attending rodeos, parades, the Fiddlers gathering, and their favorite place to hang out and enjoy some pizza was Chico Hot Springs. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. In 2015, Jack and Vonnie celebrated 60 years of marriage. Jack was very involved in his community, he and the family helped to clean the church, he was active in the Methodist Mens Fellowship Club, Special Olympics, helped with the kids in FFA and Steves Boy Scouts. You could find Jack in the supermarket having just made a new friend every trip he took there. He loved to strike up conversations and learn all he could about everyone. He met new friends easily. He set a strong example of how to live a good life for his children and grandchildren and had a very warm personality. Jack worked with special children, identified with people who were troubled and odd, especially youth. He enjoyed country music and old things which brought him pleasant memories. He cried at weddings & funerals, and liked wasting time watching old movies on TV (reruns). Jack had a gentle soul, kind heart, caring smile, and never complained. He enjoyed their home, riding the ATV & his horse, and sitting on the porch in deep thought while watching the horses graze in the pasture. Jack was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve. Blessed be his memory. Jack is survived by his son, Steve Taylor and his wife Chris of Graham, Washington; daughter, Terry Kay Taylor of Pray; grandchildren Steve Taylor Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, Jason Taylor and his wife, Shante, Amber Marie Taylor, Alicia Barnes and her husband, David, all of Washington; great-grandchildren Brooklynn, Lane, Zoe, Jacob, Ellie, Henry and Jax; sisters Patsy Jean Standish of Pray and Kathy Ruff of Fairbanks, Alaska; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Jack is preceded in death by the love of his life, Vonnie, and his parents. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.