Zachary John Taylor was a Renaissance Man. He lived a full and authentic life.
He was born June 14, 1992 in Salt Lake City to Kristin Millis and Thomas Taylor, rounding out a family that already had two girls and one boy.
It snowed that morning. And American flags lined the streets, and do so each year on his birthday.
He didn’t say much when he was small, but when he did begin to speak at age three, he did so with vigor, sharing his observations of the day and philosophies with the wisdom of an old man.
He taught himself how to swim and ride a bike. If he saw a challenge he met it with vigor, even as a small child. He loved to visit his Papa and follow him as he worked on his property in Castle Valley.
He moved a lot as a child within a short period of time: Salt Lake; Moab; Logan; Sacramento, Calif.; Las Vegas, Nev.; St. George; Fresno, Calif.; and then returned to Moab. He said he knew he could make friends wherever he went, and did. He was kind, gentle, compassionate and honest.
As an adult he lived in Moab; Seattle, Wash.; Salt Lake and went on a spiritual quest to Mexico.
He loved to sing and dance. He wrote poetry, essays and songs. He was a natural comedian and loved to act. He loved to play with his niece and nephew and spoke excitedly about someday being a father and husband. He loved the camaraderie of football and soccer. He was a fierce wrestler. He found joy on the river. And he loved to climb.
Even as a young boy he’d say he was happiest up high looking down.
On March 13, 2013 he went on a camping trip with friends. As he rappelled down to where they would camp for the night, he fell 110 feet to his death. He died doing what he loved most with friends he deeply loved and who loved him.
He is survived by his father Tom (Jeanette) Taylor and his mother Kristin (Bruce) Millis; sisters Allyssa (Nathan) Keogh, Abigail Taylor and Emma Millis; his brother Zane (Kemrey) Taylor; nephews Liam James Keogh and Tyr Zachary Taylor; niece Kemzey Eva Taylor; grandmothers Adrien Taylor and Ruth Johnson. He was proceeded in death by his grandfathers Sam Taylor and Ken Johnson.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 22 at Spanish Valley Mortuary. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, March 23 in the Grand County High School auditorium.
