Gary Lawrence Taylor, 68, passed away July 25, 2016 at his home south of Saco from complications of his illnesses. Gary was a life-long resident of the Saco community. Gary was born in Glasgow, Montana on June 28, 1948 to Florence and Lawrence Taylor. On June 23, 1973, the rancher married the school teacher, Vivian Baquet, in Choteau, Montana.
Gary attended Saco School graduating in 1966 and then attended Northern Montana College majoring in business. Before finishing his degree, he returned to the ranch when is father became ill. He continued working on the ranch for most of his life. He liked the cattle and made several of them his pets. After many years on the ranch, he leased the place and became the owner and operator of Saco Auto and Ag. He took great pride in providing humor and words of enlightenment to those who stopped by.
In 2010, he started another chapter of his life. He was diagnosed with a paralyzed diaphragm due to injuries sustained by a motorcycle accident many years prior to the diagnoses. Also at this time, he was appointed as the Phillips County Justice of the Peace. Following the appointment, he was elected and served for four years. During this time, he formed many friendships with the officers, his clerk, Debra Peigneux, and the people in the courthouse. He also formed many friendships with fellow Justices of the Peace throughout the state. Gary took great pride in serving the community in this role.
Gary served on the Phillips County Youth Probation Board for many years. He was honored to work with Clark Kelly and the other members of the board in trying to make a positive difference for the youth of Phillips County.
As a teenager he began playing the guitar and singing with a band. He worked with many local musicians and appreciated a good song and a good guitar player. He considered it an honor to play for weddings and funerals. He also liked playing for church. He continued playing his guitar for his own enjoyment and enlightened his grandchildren with many songs. His guitar was by his chair and many hours were spent strumming while watching TV. Gary was a prolific poet and song writer. Those people, who received one of his poems or songs, usually enjoyed his wit and unique sense of humor.
Gary was also an inventor. He always wanted to make work easier and would make inventions to do this. While working at Saco Auto and Ag, he designed, built, welded, and manufactured lots of tools and items for himself and others. Whatever he made, we always knew it was built to last.
For his mid-life crisis he purchased a Honda Goldwing Bike. He cruised many miles on his bike from Glacier Park to Sturgis to Buffalo Wyoming to Washington and numerous places in between. He especially enjoyed traveling with his biker buddies. He finally was able to convince Vivian to ride with him and they took a few trips together, too. He called her “His Waterwoman”. Every time she rode they encountered rain. After he developed health issues, he sold his bike and purchased his “Ranger.” This became his mode of transportation through the hills, entertaining the grandkids and trips to town for mail, food and conversation (not gossip).
Gary is survived by his wife, Vivian, who he loved and appreciated for the care that she provided. He is also survived by his daughters, Shyla (Carter) Clausen of Malta, Lara (Joel) Smith of Glasgow, and son, Jered (Mandy) Taylor of Bigfork. His grandchildren whom he adored are Payton, Connor and Kendall Clausen, Riley and Annika Smith and Nicholas Taylor. He is survived by two nephews, Paul and Stacy Johnson, and numerous cousins. Preceding him in death were his parents and his sister, Carol Johnson.
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Greg De Puydt says
Dear Vivian and family,
Please accept my condolences at your loss. It was with great sadness that I learned of Gary’s death
It was my pleasure to have played basketball with Gary and to have enjoyed his music during high school.
I always greatly enjoyed talking with Gary in later years when we happened to meet while I was visiting Saco.
With my payers and best regards for you and your family,
Respectfully,
Greg De Puydt
The Netherlands
Shelley Baquet says
Gary’s quick wit and play on words will be remembered as well as his soft voice, subtle chuckle, and the sparkle in his eye when he let a zinger fly!!
Shelley, Sister-in-Law