Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Norman Burke Taylor passed away at his home on November 9, 2015, surrounded by loving family members and caregivers.
Burke was born to Erma Pearl Knight and Norman ‘Buck’ Bliss Taylor on May 28, 1939, in Moab. He was the third of seven children born to the family. Burke has two surviving siblings: Gerrie (Dick) Boggs and Glen (Roxey) Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Buck and Erma; and his brothers Curtis, Bucky, Douglas (Annie) and Clarke (Carolyn) Taylor.
Burke knew loss and heartache at an early age with the loss of two young brothers (Bucky and Curtis) and a tragic accident that should have left him paralyzed. His strength and determination pulled him through and a year later he enrolled at Utah State University to study animal husbandry. It was during his time in Logan that Burke met Mary Dale Hamblin, the mother of his children Brian Russell (Pinkie) and Kandice Sue (Bob) Sherwood.
Burke met the love of his life and current wife, Peggy Ellen Havener, in Casper, Wyoming. They eloped to Texarkana, Texas, and married on August 27, 1964. The two settled in Atlanta, Georgia, for a year before returning to Casper. During these years, Burke worked as a traveling salesman and office equipment salesman. Seeking a new business adventure, Burke and Peggy, along with Helen and Charlie (Peg’s parents), moved to Canada’s Northwest Territory, landing in Edmonton, Alberta. During the next 10 years, the family grew and welcomed Norman Bruere (Fran), Debra Lee (Stephen) and Sue Ellen (Jason).
Burke had a longing to be closer to family he left behind and thought of Moab, his mom, Brian and Kandice often. A devastating fire to his childhood home on Bowen Circle that took the life of his brother Douglas was the pivotal turning point that brought him home to help his mom rebuild.
Upon his return, Burke worked union jobs at the power plants around Helper and Huntington in Emery County to support his family. Weekends meant the family either traveled to visit him, or he came home, making Joe’s Valley the family’s favorite gathering spot. His pull to family eventually brought him home, launching Industrial 7, Redd Mechanical and Taylor Plumbing.
Around 1983, Burke became cemetery sexton, where he stayed for 10 years. He enjoyed his tenure with Grand County Cemetery District and took pride in helping families during their times of grief. Eventually, Burke returned to Taylor Plumbing, joining with J.J. Wang, Don Becker and Colin Fryer to plumb Moab Valley Inn, Motel 6 and Red Cliffs Lodge.
Burke’s life revolved around his family and helping those in need. He loved fishing, camping, hunting, gathering wood, sharing his wealth of knowledge with his kids as they built homes and running ‘Poppy’s Fix-It’ Shop. There was nothing this man couldn’t do!!!
Besides his siblings, wife and kids, Burke is survived by grandkids Tyson, Russell, Sy, Dwight, Tanner, Zachary, Jacob, Taylor, C.J., Chris, Rhiannon, Nicholas, Marlis, Brendan, Camron, Dustin and Easton; and great-grandkids Jude (Russell) Benjamin and Maxwell (Tyson).
Services were held on Saturday, November 14, at the Community Church.
