Randall Taylor

Randall “Randy” Smith Taylor, was born on July 12, 1939 and passed away on July 20, 2021.  He was a lifelong resident of Kamas, Utah and graduated from South Summit HS in 1957. He graduated from Utah State University four years later and began teaching in the South Summit School District as a fourth grade teacher. He soon was hired as a High School teacher teaching History, English, Speech and Drama as well as wrestling coach. He retired in 1995 after teaching for 34 years.

On September 19, 1958 Randy married his High School Sweetheart Ileane Moore in the Salt Lake City Temple. During the following years they were blessed with the birth of five sons.

All of his life Randy fought many health issues. He compensated by having a sharp memory and could remember everything. He was an easy person to like and had many friends and enjoyed being with them. He was gifted with a great singing voice and often sang solos for many different occasions. He enjoyed many hobbies including softball, golf, bowling, and collecting things.

Randy spent his summers working as a US Forest Ranger with the Kamas Ranger district for 45 years. He enjoyed making many friends and acting as protector of the forest, retiring in 2006.

Randy joined the Lions Club in 1961 remaining a lifelong member. He served as President and other offices in the Kamas Valley Lions Club and was also elected to the office of District Governor for Utah and served as Council Chairman for the Utah Multi-district, which covered all clubs in Utah.

Fiesta Days in Kamas was started by the Lions Club and Randy enjoyed organizing and participating in the events. He could often be seen announcing the Demolition Derby, directing the melodrama and cooking and serving at the breakfast and barbeque. Randy and Ileane were honored as Grand Marshals in the Fiesta Days Parade a few years ago.

Randy loved his hometown and served as Kamas City Council for 20 years and also served as Summit County Justice of the Peace for 14 years. As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints he taught the gospel doctrine class for many years which he enjoyed greatly. His early pioneer heritage was always a source of interest. He was related to President John Taylor, to Silas Smith, a brother to Joseph Smith, to Thomas Bullock who was Brigham Young’s clerk, to the historic Pocohontas, and to the Utah artist George Beard.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents Gordon Beard Taylor and Verlie Smith Taylor, his sister Roma Dianne Taylor and his son David Campbell Taylor.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ileane and their children, Steven (Tracy), Gordon (Dawn), Troy (Marcie), Kyle (Holly). He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister, Terry Lee Taylor Rothenberger (Murray) and brother Jay Francis Taylor (Gayle) and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. in the Kamas LDS ward chapel.   Viewing will be on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 9:30 to 10:45 A.M.

Interment will follow in the Coalville Cemetery.