Our dear sweet Papa passed away at home Saturday morning, January 28, 2017 surrounded by his loving daughters. Never has there been a room more filled with love and gratitude. He fought a long, difficult battle with lung disease and lived far beyond anyone’s expectations. This was a testament to the love and dedication he showed his daughters and his five precious grandchildren, who were the light of his life.
Words cannot express the countless lives he touched and the imprint he left on so many hearts. Roger was a friend to all and there were no limits to his kindness and generosity. He was born in SLC, Utah on November 11, 1944 to George Douglas and Elsie Fackrell Taylor. He was raised in the Millcreek area and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He graduated from Olympus High School in 1963 where he played football and other sports.
In 1969, Roger graduated from the Utah Police Academy and provided dedicated service to his community for 27 years, as a sheriff deputy and as a detective. He retired on August 16, 1997.
While working as a sheriff and raising his girls, Roger also ran his own house painting company and worked tirelessly for over 40 years to provide for his family. Later, Roger worked as a driver for a local movie production company, Salty Pictures. He loved sharing stories about the many famous people he met including Debbie Reynolds, Salma Hayek and Anthony Hopkins, with whom he formed a special friendship.
Roger spent the last several years working at This is the Place Heritage Park where he painted the many historical buildings and assisted in maintaining the grounds. He finally retired in 2015.
Roger had many close life-long friends and enjoyed his later years hanging out and talking over a cup of coffee at the Red Eye. Roger loved four wheeling, metal detecting, landscaping, movies, cars, Utah art and cowboys. But most of all spending time with his family who adored him. He never missed an opportunity to say “I love you” and that love was deeply felt.
Roger is survived by his daughters, Melissa Ann Blackham, Ruth Elizabeth Taylor, Joey Faith Taylor, Lacey Jane (Rob) Morgan; his grandchildren, Tessa Rose Blackham, Zachary Taylor Blackham, Lucy Adelaide Taylor, Liam Taylor Morgan, Chloe Scarlet Morgan; brother Stephen D (Shirley) Taylor, sister Ann (Ken) Bowler, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends that he considered family. Preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Hal Jenkins.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, February 4, 2017 in the Cottonwood 2nd Ward, 2080 East 5165 South, Holladay, UT. Friends may call beginning at 10:30 at the same location. Interment: Holladay Memorial Park. Funeral Directors: Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary. Memories may be shared at www.memorialutah.comService Information
Viewing February 4, 2017 at 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Cottonwood 2nd Ward, 2080 East 5165 South, Holladay, UT
Memorial Service
February 4, 2017 at 12:00 Noon
Cottonwood 2nd Ward, 2080 East 5165 South, Holladay, UT