Joe Douglas Taylor was born in Moab on May 12, 1942 to Lester R. and Helen Faye Taylor. He passed away in Moab on July 13 surrounded by his family.
Joe was devoted to his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and horses. Joe was always direct and straight forward, sometimes to a fault. But those who looked beyond the gruff exterior knew a kind, loving and loyal father, grandfather and friend.
Joe graduated from Grand County High School and Colorado State University. He was a lifelong rancher in the Moab area and continued a family legacy of generations of cattle ranching in the area as a partner in Taylor Livestock. He had a summer cabin on the La Sals on Beaver Creek and a home in Professor Valley. In the last couple of years he had relocated to Delta, Colo.
He was also a person of national stature in the quarter horse community as a breeder, show competitor and judge. He was one of only a handful of people to judge the AQHA World Show more than once. His line of Mexicali mares has been nationally regarded for decades as athletic working horses. He was also influential in developing the Australian Shepherd dog breed in the U.S. His original pair of Buena and Rusty still show up in the pedigree of many of the leading dogs today.
Joe is survived by his three children Tracy (Kevin) Carroll, Chara Lee (Robert) Norman and Jick (Helene) Taylor; and nine grandchildren Kyle Taylor, Jayce Burton, Tiffany Norman, Justin Norman, Tanisha Taylor, Hailey Taylor, Cameron Taylor, Lydia Taylor and Kyler Bernal; and two great-grandchildren Landon Taylor and Brock Norman. His son Joe Michael died as an infant in 1980.
Joe is also survived by Susie Tangren Taylor, his former wife and mother of his children; brothers D.L. (Colleen) Taylor and Jeff (Pam) Taylor, and sister Suzanne (Andy) Hood; seven nephews and three nieces. His brother Don Courtland died as a child in 1933.
There will be a gathering of family and friends to remember Joe from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, July 19 at the Branding Iron, 2971 S. Hwy 191.
