Edward Paul Taylor's Obituary
Edward Paul Taylor was born on January 23, 1948 to Edward B. Taylor and Maxine Taylor in South Sioux City, IA. He was the third of four children. Although the Taylors lived in Nebraska, Ed was born across state lines on a snowy night. At about the age of 8, he moved to Los Alamos where he grew up with the canyons behind him. He loved playing in and around the canyons as a child. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1966. After high school he enlisted in the army where he served some time in Hawaii and Germany as a maintenance mechanic. He was fond of telling stories of his antics during his military days.
Ed was honorably discharged from the army in 1975, and moved to Sacramento, California to attend Glen Fishback School of Photography. Unfortunately, things did not go quite as he had planned and he never attended the photography school, but he continued to educate himself on photography and became an accomplished photographer. In 1975, he met and became engaged to his wife, Melanie, and they were married at Ancil Hoffman Park in Carmichael on the bicentennial, July 4, 1976. Edward worked doing small engine repair and photography for a number of years, and even did a short stint as a car salesman. He went back to school and earned his AS degree with the dual majors of Analog and Digital electronics from American River College in 1986. He was hired at McClellan AFB as part of a joint program with American River College and worked at McClellan until 1999 when he was transferred to Hill AFB due to base closures. He was an electronics technician while at McClellan and eventually was promoted to supervisor after transferring to Hill AFB serving in that capacity until he retired in 2015.
Ed preferred the quiet of home, but was engaging in public. He was a master of sarcasm and he loved a good prank, or a good “Dad joke.” He really loved to tell stories, especially tall tales. Once Ed’s wife called him at work and he told his coworkers that she was the “other woman.” He had them going for a little bit, although it’s hard to know what they believed. When his kids were growing up, their friends loved to hear Ed tell his “When I was your age… stories.” He also loved shooting and spent time as an officer in the local NRA in North Highlands, California. He loved tinkering, riding his motorcycle and spending time with his granddaughters.
Edward is survived by his wife of 46 years, Melanie Taylor, his three children: Nathan Taylor, Deidre (Taylor) Quinn and Bethany Taylor and his two granddaughters Avalyn Taylor and Jocelin Quinn; sister Diane (Taylor) Thurston, and brother Donald Taylor.
He was preceded in death by his sister Karen Taylor; his mother, Maxine Taylor; and his father Edward B. Taylor.
There is a big hole in the hearts of those of us who loved him so dearly.
A graveside service will be held on April 28, 2023 at 1 p.m. at the Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, UT.
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