Louie Dale Taylor 91, of Sweet Home passed away in the Loving arms of his daughter Pamela on September 21st with several family members close by.
He was born in Somerton, Az. to John Riley Taylor and Oma Jackson Taylor.
Louie and Virginia’s family history runs deep in the Yuma Valley and Texas. Virginia’s Grandfather, Juan Zavala, was appointed a prison guard at the Yuma Territorial Prison in 1884. His picture hangs in the museum to this day. In 1911 he was Yuma’s first “official” policeman.
Louie’s Grandfather, John Taylor, was a deputy sheriff in Burnet County Tx. In 1892. While running against the Sheriff in a new election there was a personal dispute and John Taylor shot and killed the Sheriff in self-defense. He was found not guilty of murder.
Louie was an amazing story teller and his family loved to sit for hours and listen to the stories of his family’s life. He could recall names and intricate details even in his last days.
When he was 6 years old, his Mother abandoned their family and his baby brother and sister were adopted out of the family. He refused to leave his father and would run away and hide when the authorities would visit their home.
He dropped out of school in the 7th grade to go to work in the lettuce fields to help support his father who’s health was failing from the effects of being gassed while serving our country in the Army during WWII.
Louie helped build the first airport in Somerton, Az. which became a flight school and he learned to fly airplanes at the age of 14.
At a very young age he learned to master any vehicle or piece of machinery he was around.
He married (the Love of his life) Virginia Marie Kaldman May 20, 1950. She was 16 and he was 19. There first son, James Randall (Randy), was born 11 months later. Shortly after, he packed up his family and their whole life and headed to Oregon where he didn’t know a anyone, but he heard there were good jobs. He went to work for Roseburg Lumber Company pulling on the green chain.
They moved to Lebanon, Or. In 1954, where their daughter, Pamela Ann, was born and then moved to Sweet Home in 1956, where they bought their first and only home and he resided there until his passing. He always had the most beautiful yard on the hillside and a massive garden that he shared with many.
Any chance he could he would take his family on the long road journey back to his homeland, Somerton, Az., and visit his many family members there. The family commented many times that “Louie Dale” was the glue that held their family together.
When he came to Sweet Home his trucking career started when he went to work for Fred Santesson, driving log truck. Fred and Gladys took us in like family.
In the 1960’s he built his own 19 ft. inboard/outboard boat. Along with his truck driving job, he joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary and helped put on boating safety classes, boat inspections and patrolled special events on the Oregon Coast. He patrolled Foster Lake for the Hydro Plane boat races during Sportsman’s Holiday.
During the building of the Foster and Green Peter Dam, Louie went to work for Tuffy Hall, Shannon Transport, a heavy equipment hauling company. He was in charge of transporting equipment and supplies from the supply yard in Sweet Home to the Green Peter Dam site. The Dam building company was so impressed with his work ethic that they invited him to join their company traveling the US. He declined their offer and did not want to uproot his family.
Louie then went to work for Bob Harbaugh driving Log truck and Low Boy, moving logging equipment. In addition, he became the truck boss and dispatcher for Bob’s fleet of log trucks.
In 1969 they had their third child, Cory Allen Taylor.
In 1978 Louie became an owner/operator when he purchased a new 1979 Freightliner and Flatbed trailer. He started hauling specialty lumber to the building boom in California alongside his daughter Pamela and son-in-law.
He continued his trucking business until 1988 when he was stricken, while on a haul, with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. This forced him out of his trucking business and into retirement at age 58.
He spent 3 months in the hospital fighting for his life and 2 years in physical therapy learning to walk again.
When he regained most of his health back, he started a Video Transfer business out of his home and did video work for his son Randy’s store in Springfield.
He worked with the Sweet Home Historical Society and Museum to help record and preserve our local history.
When Virginia retired, after 33 years in the banking business, he started a pewter casting businesses and they worked the Rock and Gem shows on the West Coast
selling his pewter and precious bead and stone jewelry Virginia would make.
Louie and Virginia were Camp Host for the Oregon Jamboree for 10 years.
In 1994 he started working at South Fork Trading in Sweet Home when his daughter Pamela and son-in-law opened their business. He continued working for Nick Cross, when he bought the business, until 2004 when Virginia was diagnosed
with Pancreatic Cancer. He then devoted his life to taking care of her until her passing at their home in 2006.
In his prime of life he was 6 ft 4 (thin as a rail) and had massive hands and a booming voice. His laughter could be heard by all. He and Virginia were beautiful dancers (she was 5 ft 2 inches) and they never missed an opportunity to dance the night away with their friends and family at the Elks and Vets club. He was a lifetime member (60 years) of the Sweet Home Elks.
He adored his family and they thought the world of him. He was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, & Great-Grandfather never missing an opportunity to spend time with his family, attending their sporting events and family gathering.
He attended Sweet Home Community Chapel with his family and Applegate Christian Fellowship Amphitheater in Medford with his companion Lois Klienhans.
Louie is survived by his companion of 14 years, Lois Klienhans, Medford, Son Randy Taylor and wife Tana, Eugene, Daughter Pamela Taylor Thompson Rasmussen, husband Gary from Foster, Son Cory Taylor, Phoenix, Az.
8 Grandchildren, Desiree Thompson Barringer, husband Dave Sweet Home, Tiffany Thompson Starha, husband Josh, Sweet Home, Brie Taylor Duff, husband Nate, Ca. Cameron Taylor, wife Stephanie, Portland, Chase Taylor Portland, Joshua Taylor, Sweet Home, Seth Taylor, US Navy, Lea Rasmussen Knight, husband Adam, Sweet Home
11 Great Grandchildren, Madison Barringer, Jackson Barringer, Samuel Barringer Taylor Goodwin, Daniel Goodwin, Brodie Starha, Prestyn Taylor, Rian Duff, Evan Knight, Abel Knight & Asher Knight
Louie was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Virginia Marie Kaldman Taylor, his parents and younger brother.
A graveside service will be at 11am Friday Oct. 8, at Lewis Creek Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life reception at the Sweet Home Elks Lodge.
Memorial contributions can be made to Sweet Home Boys & Girls Club or Sweet Home Elks Lodge.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com