Donald Dean Taylor

MISSOULA ~ Donald (Don) Dean Taylor, 88, of Missoula, Montana passed away a few days shy of his 89th birthday in his home.

He was born on June 14, 1936 in Lusk, Wyoming to George J. Taylor and Ruth (Meriweather) Walker.

Don led a full life, driving mail trucks, driving over the road semi’s, hunting, fishing, and collecting lighters. He has a lighter collection that exceeds 100 lighters that he has been collecting since he was a young man. As of recent he became a man of routine. Every day he would go to lunch (Monday through Friday) at the Forest Lounge. He went at the same time, sat in the same place, and always, ALWAYS took a to-go box!

Anyone who knows Don, knows how important his children were to him. He would call just to “check in”, make sure you knew when your favorite team was playing, rub in a good loss, or celebrate a victory! Especially for the Bronco’s (although, since they have kind of stunk the last few years, he’s been rooting for the Chiefs) and the Yankee’s. You could find him watching football or his Yankee’s almost any time of the day.

He was proceeded in death by his father George J. Taylor, his mother Ruth (Meriweather) Walker, his son Gene E. Taylor, and his grandson Christopher Taylor.

Survivors include his son John Taylor (wife Deana, children Jason Taylor, Kevin Taylor, Amanda Taylor, Cassie Taylor and Danielle Taylor), his son Daniel Taylor (wife Susan and son Gabriel), his son Dale Taylor (wife Renee, children Sondra Schopf, Joshua Taylor, and Christa Rodriguez), his son (deceased) Gene Taylor (wife Connie, children Jeremy Taylor, Nicholas Taylor, and Shane Taylor), his son Wayne Taylor (son Blake), his daughter Sheri Forney (husband Brandon, children Olivia Burns, Chloe Andra, Lauren Gonzalez and Jaron Forney), along with many great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to his favorite place, The Forest Lounge, 3695 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59808, to be donated to a person in need of a meal.