Kenneth Taylor

Kenneth Cordell Taylor

July 13, 1943 ~ July 14, 2017

After enduring a difficult battle with the effects of melanoma cancer issues, Kenneth Cordell Taylor is free of pain and off to the races. He passed away at his home on July 14, 2017.

Ken was born July 13, 1943, in Logan, Utah, the second son of Lester J. and Marie Taylor.

In 1956, he made front page news in the Logan paper when he turned 13 on Friday the 13th. At the age of 14, Ken had completed all requirements and was certified as an Eagle Scout.

In 1962, he married Dee Ann Wimmer. They had one daughter, Melissa, and divorced in 1965.

Kenneth left for the Army in August of 1965 and served active duty in the Vietnam War. He was a helicopter gunner and helped move ground forces out of hot spot areas. He also managed the NCO Club. Ken made rank as a SGT (T) and left the service in May 1967.

On November 8, 1968, Kenneth married Clare Profaizer. They divorced in 1991 and have remained the best of friends.

During Ken’s teens, he enjoyed snow skiing, swimming, horseback riding and cooking. He and his brother, Glade, worked with their father on the family farm and in housing construction. Ken, in turn, taught his daughter to ‘spackle’ and appreciate animals.

Ken was in the housing industry operating K & L Drywall. He then professionally trained race horses as Taylor Racing Stables. He opened his own business, Ken Taylor Truck Sales in Layton. His last profession was with Union Pacific Railroad as a cook.

Ken was also a rodeo enthusiast and member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) competing as a bull rider, steer wrestler, and team roper. He raced chariots with the Wasatch Slopes Cutter Association and won his fair share of trophies at the Utah state level and World Finals.

Kenneth loved horses, dogs, cooking, and his Coors. He watched rodeos and horse racing on TV when he was no longer able to compete.

To quote Melissa, Ken was his own man, fair, and a man his parents would be proud of how he turned out.

Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Melissa (David) Bowman, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Lester Glade Taylor, and Buffy his dog, faithful companion and walking partner.

Special thanks are extended to Ken’s good friend, Max Taylor, the staff at the George E. Wahlen VA Hospital, Dr. Sarah Colonna and staff, and Debra Pruitt and staff at the Ogden Clinic. Thanks also to Deputy Santoro who ‘answered the call’ and Ken’s neighbor, Wendy, who helped at this tragic time.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2017, at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary.