Robert Earl Taylor

Robert Earl Taylor passed away from natural causes on May 23, 2023. He was born on January 19th, 1940 in Provo, Utah to Jesse and Mildred Taylor.

He grew up in a neighborhood in south Provo only a few blocks away from where he would eventually raise his own family.

In Robert's youth, family finances were limited. He would do odd jobs around the neighborhood to help pay for the things he needed. When he was only fourteen, Robert drove himself from Provo to Santa Barbara, California to work with his uncle for a summer. These experiences instilled in him the values of hard work, sacrifice, and self-reliance.

While in his senior year at Provo High School, Robert served as Student Body President. He was nominated as a candidate rather than seeking the position himself. He was known for befriending and including everyone regardless of age or social status.

One person he took an interest in was a shy freshman named Nola Atkinson. He saw her playing organ in church and he knew there was something special about her. Later, he sought her out at the ward Gold and Green ball and after dancing together much of the night, he approached her father to ask if he could take her home. After receiving reluctant approval, they drove away in his 1949 Ford and their courtship officially began.

Nola wrote to Robert during his mission in Holland for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and he proposed to her five days after returning home. For the proposal, he chose a spot with a perfect view of the full moon high on the hill that, unbeknownst to him, later became the site for the Provo Temple. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 14, 1963, by Spencer W. Kimball, and were together for more than 55 years until her death in 2019.

While a student at BYU, Robert was given an opportunity to buy Melayne’s, a local printing business owned by Nola’s family. His experience managing Albertson’s grocery stores before and after his mission helped prepare him for the rigors of running his own business and Melayne’s soon became the preferred supplier of wedding announcements and other printing needs in Provo and surrounding areas.

In addition to the demanding roles of husband, father, and business owner, Robert spent 30 years in the Utah National Guard 141st Military Intelligence Battalion, ultimately rising to the top rank of Command Sergeant Major. He loved his time in the military and was passionate about serving his country.

Robert’s lifelong membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped mold him into the person he was. He served in various church callings including positions in the Bishopric, High Priest Group, and as a Priest Quorum Advisor. He was beloved by the BYU students he served as bishop, and the relationships he forged with his priests quorum have lasted almost fifty years.

Robert faced many challenges throughout his life but persevered through them all. In 2017, his right leg was amputated above the knee due to some medical complications. He faced this trial with humor and tenacity. He regularly included a leg emoji in his text messages, and he impressed his physical therapy team with his drive to improve. He became friends with his caregivers and drivers, never passing an opportunity to treat them to a burger or stories from his life.

Robert's legacy is marked by his unwavering devotion to friends, family, and the Church. He lived a long, fulfilling life and will be dearly missed. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Vernon and Norman Taylor, and his sister Shirley Woodard. He is survived by his sisters Carolyn Cole and Mary Jefferies, his five children and spouses: Susan and Mike LaHargoue, Annette and Kurt Flygare, Alan and Kim Taylor, Paul and Stacey Taylor, and Jennifer and Brad Crowther. He also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.

The family would like to share their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful people of Spring Gardens Assisted Living and Pointe Meadows Health and Rehabilitation for their wonderful care of Robert during his final years.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday May 30rd, 2023 at Nelson Family Mortuary 4780 N University Ave. Provo, Utah. A viewing will take place at 1 PM followed by the Funeral Service at 2:30 PM and the graveside service will be at Provo City Cemetery at 3:30 PM.