Aaron Leroy Taylor

Aaron L. Taylor
May 8, 1951—December 21, 2021
Aaron L. Taylor was born in Colusa, California on May 8, 1951, the second child of Joseph and EffieDell Taylor. Aaron and his older sister Diana moved with their parents to Yuba City, California in 1955 where he spent his youth. Music was always a big part of his life. Throughout high school until his death, he loved to sing and make music. He was a vital part of his high school choir for all four years, singing solos and earning several awards with his beautiful tenor voice.
After high school graduation in 1969, Aaron joined the military and served his country faithfully for 6 years. He was a member of both the National Guard and the United States Army, spending a great deal of time in Greece during his Army days.
After miraculous circumstances made it possible to do so, Aaron attended Graceland College following his honorable discharge from the military. He loved singing in Chapel Choir while there, and was thrilled to be appointed as an assistant to the choir director for his work assignment. His favorite times at Graceland include meeting many lifelong friends, sharing with them in Andover Zion Builders, and singing… there was lots and lots of singing! One of those friends was Hope Jordan, whom he dated briefly. When they broke up, Hope suggested he meet her sister, Sue, to which he replied, “I’m done with those Jordan girls!” Well, we know the rest of that story…
So as it goes, the Jordan sisters married best friends and were married to their sweethearts in Independence, Missouri in 1977. Hope married her fiancé Don Richards in February, and then six weeks later, Sue and Aaron were married on March 25th. They, along with Sue and Hope’s brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Sherri Jordan, formed a little band called Brother John. Music was so important to Aaron, and Brother John provided him the opportunity to share his gifts in ministry. In addition, Aaron served God's people in the capacity of Priest and Elder by preaching, teaching, testifying, healing, and praying.
Aaron was very talented in many areas in addition to music. He worked in janitorial services at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital, drove heavy construction machinery, and moved to Lamoni for awhile to work on the Snethen farms. Then, after helping to finish the expansion project at Co-op Food Fair, he was hired there as the butcher and then became manager of the produce department. All this experience prepared him to take a leap of faith and go into business with his best friends, Don Richards, Bob Perkins, and Theron Cruickshank. Together, they built a natural food store from the ground up. Nature’s Pantry served the community for twenty years, promoting health and wellness, until they sold the business and retired in December of 2014.
Part of Aaron’s retirement included working on a little farm in the country. Goats were the main focus, and he spent many hours enjoying the outdoors.
Another part of retirement included one of his favorite hobbies, wood carving. He created beautiful, inspired pieces which he shared with many of his family and friends. Interestingly, he would go to the lumber yard and search out pieces of wood with a flaw, ones that no one else wanted. He took the piece home and from this broken and discarded piece of wood, he created exquisite pieces of artwork. He then deliberately removed a tiny piece of the picture as a reminder that we all are imperfect, and it is only with the touch of the Master’s hand, we can become a beautiful piece of art. With each piece he designed, there was a testimony to be shared, and out of this passion was born the family business, Cedar Inspirations. Many people were blessed through their talented creations that will forever be cherished.
Through an amazing series of events, a song Aaron wrote called “The Day I Went A-Huntin’” was turned into a children’s book earlier this year. It was completed shortly before his death, and will soon go into production to be printed.
And now, as it was in the beginning, we come full circle. Music helped Aaron through his high school years, joined him to lifelong friends in college, and was the tie that bound him to his family and community of faith through Brother John. He composed, sang, played guitar, and ministered to friends and strangers, bringing his message of Yashua Jesus to all who would listen.
Aaron is preceded in death by his father, Joseph, and his sister, Diana Gibson. He is survived by: his wife of 44 years, Sue Jordan Taylor; their five children and their spouses, Angela with husband Scott Bean, Will with wife Lorie, David with wife Sarah, Eli with husband Ryan Phillips, and Aimee with husband Dillon James; their 12 grandchildren who will cherish memories of their “Papa” forever; his mother, EffieDell Johnson Taylor; his brother, Neil; and a host of nieces and nephews who will never forget Uncle Aaron who endeared himself to them through his jokes, laughter, music, and generosity.
Finally, in the words from a song, “My Friend,” penned by Aaron himself for a brother in need, he is…
“Being reunited with loved ones long since passed, Now this, my friend is Zion, she’s finally come at last!”

Please Note: In honor or Aaron there will be a blowing of the Shofars at the end of the service.
If you would like to participate, please bring your Shofar so you may do so.