On Monday, November 2, 2020, Austin Joshua Dwight Taylor, loving son and brother suddenly passed away at the age of 25.

See 4 photos

Austin was born on March 28, 1995 to Dwight and Theresa Taylor in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the time, he had an older brother and sister who happily welcomed him into their family. Austin quickly became known for his fun loving, happy personality. He was eager to learn and understand how things worked. He and his brother would often tinker around with electronics, taking them apart to see if they could fix them.

From a young age, Austin loved everything that had to do with the military. He often dressed in camouflage and played with army guys and guns. Little toy guns were eventually replaced with airsoft guns and real guns. Austin and his brother, Derek and their friends were often found in the yard simulating some combat scenario. To this day, BB’s from the airsoft wars that took place are found in the yard and home where he grew up.

Austin loved the outdoors. From a young age, he would often be found catching bugs or digging in the dirt. At a later age, he enjoyed fishing with his buddies and always had a knife in his pocket. One of his Dad’s proudest moments is when Austin grabbed a snake with his young bare hands and said, “look Dad...look what I caught?”

Austin graduated from West Jordan High School in 2013. He was known for his long, red beard and was given nicknames like “Beard-o”. He started growing a beard when has 14, before beards were “the thing”. There were only a few times that he didn’t have a beard, one of them being when he had to report for basic training (for the Army Reserves).

Austin has always had a good work ethic and has been employed ever since his first job as a young teenager at a car wash. He has had several jobs since, both in plumbing and delivery. One of his first jobs was delivering auto parts for an auto dealer. Austin loved cars and could tell you random facts about all types of different cars. His pride and joy for a few years was a jeep that he loved to go “mudding” in.

Austin always had a strong connection with animals - from his first cat, “Blackie” to the pets that belonged to those around him. If you had a pet, he treated it like his own.

Austin will be remembered as a gentle giant. His long hair, beard, and tattoos made him look a little rough around the edges, but he had a tender, kind heart and would do what he could to help anyone in need. To those who really knew him, he was a big teddy bear.

Austin is welcomed to the other side by his mom, Theresa and his best buddy, Tyler Pincock and is survived by his dad, Dwight Taylor, his other mother, Marci Taylor, his older brother, Derek Taylor, older sister, Allison Taylor Knighton (and Jared), younger sister, Malina Srianan, and younger brother, Noah Taylor. In lieu of flowers, Austin’s family would appreciate a donation to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. https://afsp.org/

Funeral services will be held at 12p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2020 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 8539 South 2200 West West Jordan, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to funeral services from 11:00am-11:45am.

Interment following services: Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery (1950 East Dimple Dell Road in Sandy)