John “Jack” Taylor age 73 of Westbrook, formerly of Storden, passed away Monday, January 25, 2016 at his home after a battle with cancer. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 28 at the Westbrook Funeral Home. Private family burial will be in Bethany Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
John “Jack” Leroy Taylor was born October 31, 1942 in Spencer, Iowa to Dale and Clara (Reeverts) Taylor. He attended school in Storden. Jack worked construction in several locations. He enjoyed traveling with his mules in a covered wagon. Jack was a modern day cowboy who was born 100 years after his time. He loved telling stories and visiting with people. Jack was a collector who enjoyed going to auctions, reading, and coon hunting.
Jack is survived by his son Dale of Westbrook; grandchildren: Jackie of Newton, IA, Dalton of Westbrook, Chelsey of Ocheyedan, IA, Dustin of Newton, IA, and Jenny of Walnut Grove; 4 great grandchildren: Sophie, Parker, Jaxson, and Rylee; mother Clara Taylor of Tracy; siblings: Charles (Louise) Taylor of Storden, Nancy (Jerry) Rasmussen of Woodville, WI, Jerry (Kathy) Taylor of Storden, and Cindy (Dave) Swenhaugen of Tracy; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his fate Dale and sister Janice Marsh.
Will always remember you singing to me and mom after supper with your guitar… May you rest in peace Jack. Will always remember you as a great story teller, and iam sure you passed some of those stories on to Dale so he can pass them on to his children and grandchildren.
I remember as a kid going out to Jack’s to get tires or car parts with my Dad (Derold) . My Cousin Dean was along and Jack told us of one of his recent run ins with Bigfoot down by the barn and warned us to stay alert. As we were rounding the barn towards the front we entered the door and starring right at us was this fierce hair covered head with hollow eyes. We ran like hell! After a few minutes we finally gained our composure. We headed back to the barn with some encouragement from Dad and Jack we rentered the barn to find what looked like a severed head stuck on a piece of metal. Inching closer we realized it was an ape mask that Jack put on the handle of a red water spigot. I always listened to his bigfoot stories. But he surely had us believing that day. He was a legend and will always be remembered.
There are so few comforting words, When we need them most.
The passing of the one who first introduced to this world and
who loved us along it’s paths is never easy.
My deepest condolences Dale.
My deepest Sympathies Swenhaugen family.
Jack was the happiest person I knew. He lived unselfish adventures that he loved to narrate. Deep inside our hearts is a time and a story once shared with Jack.
Dale and family I am so sorry for your loss. Caleb has many stories of seeing Grandpa Jack with Dalton
Jack was a classmate of mine, and I have many fond memories. Will pray for comfort for his family.
Condolences to the Taylor family.
Jack lived are across the pasture to the north of us. I’ll always remember the day the boys were left at home when the rest of the family went visiting. Jack, some other kids and my brothers were shooting pigeon and Jack got a bullet thru this hand. My he rest in peace.
I remember that day as if it were yesterday.
I will always remember Jack for his sense of humor and quick wit, and could repair or invent something or tool that was needed for a particular job. I am truly sorry to hear of his passing, life was more entertaining when Jack was around, he will be missed, you have my deepest heartfelt sympathy.
What memories flow when I think of Jack. He had a story for every occasion. One of the most. Interesting people I have ever known., the kind of people they make movies about. You’re right, he was born 100 years to late. You have my sympathy
My condolences to the family. Jack was my neighbor for many years and he used to ride into my yard and tell me stories from time to time.
Living neighbors to the Taylors, I was aware of many of Jack’s experiences. Started school with him and rode the same school bus. The picture of Jack and his unique character could have put him in any of the “Western movies.” I am sure that those of you that knew him would agree. Gotta tell you all this experience. In the early 80’s when we had our horse business north of Storden, customers from southern Iowa were bringing a mare to breed to our stallion. Now picture this for a moment; It was near midnight and raining. These folks were tired, having been driving for over 5 hours. As they were approaching the railroad tracks near the elevator and lumber yard, they stopped their vehicle and began rubbing their eyes. Jack had just left the Legion on his mule,” Number 7″ and a 6-pack of beer heading for home. Just a normal occurance for Jack, but to these folks, they thought it was an illusion. I agree, Jack was born a 100 years too late, but a legend in his own right.
I always loved hearing the stories everyone told about my brother and things he did. I always remember the year my husband Dave worked for Jack painting a neighbor Oliver Munson’s barn. Dave came home and told me that he was painting one side of the barn while Jack painted the higher peaks. Jack came around the side of the barn to check on him and Dave noticed that Jack didn’t have a drop of paint on himself and yet claimed to have been working so Dave wanted to check on Jacks progress and of course Jack had the whole peak done. He looked at Dave and gave him a hard time for wasting all of that paint that of course was on his clothes and hands etc. So then the lesson came on how to paint without getting anything on yourself. We still talk about that whenever we paint anything.
I want to challenge people to write their story about what they remember about jack or a story they heard him tell them. Our family would cherish these memories.
Thanks to all who have written on this page! Keep them coming!