LifeStoryNet.com

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

 

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

Thomas Taylor

August 31, 1930 - April 16, 2020
Kalamazoo, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg

Obituary


Print

Taylor, Thomas Frederick Kalamazoo Age 89, went to be with his precious Lord on April 16, 2020. Tom was born in Kalamazoo on August 31, 1930, the son of Thomas and Ruth (Hazen) Taylor. He is preceded in death by sisters Sidney Swanson and Edna Tasker. Surviving is his sister, Mary Winters. He graduated from Paw Paw High School, then went on to attend Western Michigan University. Tom married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Ann Evans on September 8, 1951 at Covey Hill Baptist Church. He then served in the US Army at Fort Knox during the Korean War. After serving, Tom worked in management at A&P Grocery until State Farm Insurance scooped him up. He ran an agency for them in Portage, MI. His love for people and his gift for communicating made that an adventure in caring that lasted for 55 years. He treasured those relationships made during those years and often amazed us by recalling so many people and life details of those he helped. Tom loved his wife and family deeply. Their little house in the woods was the meeting place for the family's events, holidays and birthdays. We have so many forever memories of our time spent together. Tom and Pat have 5 children: Philip (Linda), Michael (Kathryn), Timothy (Susan), Deborah, and Daniel (Kerrie); 6 grandchildren: Scott (Marilyn), Nicholas (Caitlin), Faith, Bradley (Amanda), Benjamin and Evan; and 3 great grandchildren: Spencer, Grace, and Jack. He not only loved his own children, but other people's children as well. He taught the College and Career Class at Bethel Baptist Church for many years and seemed drawn to engage young people in conversation wherever he went. Tom loved music. He performed in the school musicals like Pirates of Penzance and in Handel's Messiah, and was always a member of the church choir. Tom enjoyed playing both the organ and the piano. He was often asked to fill in for the church pianist or song leader, which he did without hesitation. He loved his Lord. To hear him pray, especially in the past few years, was to be brought into the very throne room of heaven. We know that his journey is not yet finished but is just beginning as he now more perfectly praises the Lord Jesus in Heaven. A private burial will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life is being planned for August of 2020. Memorial Donations may be made in Tom's memory to a local food bank or caring resource in the Kalamazoo area of the donor's choice. The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude for the caring people at Bronson Hospital, West Michigan Cancer Center, and the Vineyard Assisted Living for their tireless and at times extraordinary efforts on behalf of Dad's medical needs. In his own words: "You were magnificent!" Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. To view Tom's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com