Floyd Charles Taylor, 78, of Laramie, died Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Ivinson Memorial Hospital.
Floyd lived in the Laramie area for 40 years. He loved his horses and the ranch life, enjoying the wide open spaces.
He enjoyed his retirement driving for the PATS bus and having good conversation with the folks. He will be missed by his friends and family.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children, Randy Wright and wife, Diane, Calvin Morris and wife Marie, Kristi Leyba and husband, Edwin, and Steve Taylor and fiancé BonnieJean; and his grandchildren, Samantha Leyba, Clint Morris, Chris Morris, Britta Christensen, and Isaac Christensen.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Snowy Range Baptist Church, 721 WY Highway 230, Laramie, WY, with Pastor Wes White, officiating. A flag presentation by the Wyoming National Guard. A reception will follow the services at the church.
This Cowboy had a real passion for horses. He always loved to talk about his horses, and I I loved to listen. The memories we have of the time spent with Floyd at the Harris Ranch will be with us forever. Thanks Floyd for being a part of our lives back then. We laughed, we learned and a few times we even argued. Wonderful memories. We will never forget you Floyd.
It isn’t hard to see when a man is as proud of his son as Floyd was. Whether it was 20 years ago, looking over a saddle horn at the two of them riding together on a clear Albany County morning or just last year when he’d come out to the shop to see what Steve was putting together now. I could always see it in his face. I got the text that he’d gone and I thought about him. I can recall so many times, so many characteristics that were what Floyd was to me. He was honest first and foremost. That was unconditional. He didn’t have time for filler or noise. That wasn’t his nature. He was always ready to teach me when I didn’t know how, but only if he knew I was committed to learn. He could cut you down to size and build you back up in the same breath but never wasted words on those who didn’t listen. He knew that the best way to do it was to just get it done and he never hesitated. He didn't want you to do a job unless you proved you would do it right . He was a Cowboy in every sense of his being. He loved the herd, the horses, the dogs, the wide open spaces. He loved watching it all come together. A good horse, a working dog and a hard working crew. He loved telling you stories about when people did things right and I don’t remember a time hearing him talk about when someone did it wrong. Failure didn’t seem to interest him in the least. He loved the work and to watch those he worked with learn to love those things too. He always had time for you but you could see when he was out on the prairie far from us "kids" that he loved that alone time too. When it was just him and Wyoming. He always gave an honest opinion and if you knew anything about Floyd you know you’d be wise to take that advice. So.... I’ll miss the coveralls, the Carhartt’s, the hats with the flaps. I’ll miss the glasses and the eyes that cut through from behind them. I’ll miss him pulling out a stuck truck, fixing a frozen well, sticking in the saddle of a spooked horse and doctoring a frightened heifer. I still smile when I think of him getting after us when we got a little too ambitious with the “Spotlighting”. But, I think the thing I’ll miss the most is watching his eyes light up when he saw his son and the man that he’s become. So today, I’ll thank Floyd for his time and I hope he knew that I brought it with me on this journey through life. It’s here with me now and forever. I'll thank him for my friend his son. And I’ll thank my friend Steve, for sharing his “Pop” with me. No matter how few those moments were they still mean so much. So sorry I couldn’t be with you this weekend. I hope I haven't let you down. But Floyd, you and all the Taylor family are always in my thoughts. Always will be. God Speed Cowboy.
Sharon, Kristi, Edwin and Sam, We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to all of you for your loss of your husband, father and grandfather. Many prayers and lots of love to all of you. Joe and Sue
Floyd will be missed. He was such a get help to me when I was running the ranch. Scott Wilson
Floyd was a big part of the Harris ranch. He made my job a lot easer when I ran the ranch. He will be missed. Scott Wilson
A man of great and extraordinary character, character a boy today could truly learn from, but yet so many would say too rough or old school; I say old school is what we need to remember and cherish and pass on; strength, grit, tenacity, able to get a job done, real integrity, integrity that this country was built on and should not be forgotten; even though not everyone experienced it, behind that rouged face he was also beautiful, gentle, loving, talented. Not a perfect man but a real man that could hold his head high. This is how I will remember him, a great spirit of the west with a memorable smile, loved and now sadly missed. Love to you all!
Al and I are so sorry for your loss. He is in the big pasture riding and roping with his brother Marvin. Our love and thoughts are with you