Jack Sterling Taylor

Jack Sterling Taylor of Springville, UT passed into the next life October 13th, 2022 at the age of 100. He was at home and surrounded by family members.

Jack was born August 19, 1922 in Salt Lake City, UT, the son of Mary Mischa Stewart and Floyd Sterling Taylor. He lived his early life in American Fork Canyon, where his father was a mine foreman. He attended elementary school in Salt Lake City, then moved with his family to San Francisco during the depression. He attended junior high and high school in San Francisco, then went to work in the Bethlehem Steel Yards where he trained as a welder. He also worked as a courier for the Bank of America. During WWII he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps because he wanted to learn to fly and be a “hot rock fighter pilot.” Instead, he became the co-pilot of a B-24 Liberator, and he and his “lucky crew” flew 35 bombing missions over Germany from an air base in England. Their crew survived the war “without a scratch”. After the war, Jack continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve. He was recalled to active duty for the Korean War flying stateside transport missions, and later joined the retired reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1982.

Jack attended the University of California at Berkley, where he lettered in fencing and earned a degree in electrical engineering. He was a Cal fan for the rest of his life, and always appreciated any blue and gold color schemes that could be arranged. He met his future wife, Leona “Lee” A. Armand, while singing in the San Francisco LDS ward choir. They were married for over 50 years and were devoted to each other. Together they served in two LDS Temples – Oakland, CA and Provo, UT – and served a mission for the Church to the Atlanta Georgia Temple Mission. Jack continued his temple service after Lee’s passing, for a total of almost 40 years of temple service.

Jack worked for the City of Palo Alto, becoming Chief Electrical Engineer in the Light and Power Department, and retired after almost 38 years. He was always involved in scouting, church and community activities. Always willing to help a friend or stranger in need, Jack could be counted on to do his best in every capacity in which he served.

Jack is survived by his “armful of daughters:” Deb Nielsen (Karola Hanks) of Durango, CO, Judy Cox (David) of Orem, UT, Sharon Mead (Allen) of Orem, UT and Sandy Taylor of Springville, UT, as well as his 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife and his parents. Jack was a source of song and humor, uplifting those around him continually until the end, and he is sorely missed.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday October 22nd at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1460 East 900 South in Springville, UT. Viewing will be from 10:30-11:45 a.m. the same day. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, UT with military honors.