Gene Taylor

(Webb) and Dallas H. Taylor.

Gene left high school at the early age of 16 to help care for his mother, working as a milkman at Meadow Gold Dairy in Denver. In 1945, he joined the United States Navy and served one year as a

Seaman Second Class. After his service, he returned to Meadow Gold, where his natural charisma and work ethic led him to win every sales contest offered. He saved his earnings to pay for flying lessons,discovering a lifelong passion for aviation.

Gene went on to enjoy a distinguished career as a commercial pilot, flying for Continental Airlines and later Frontier Airlines for more than 20 years. Flying was not only his profession but his great love.

A man of remarkable curiosity and drive, Gene embraced life to the fullest. Over the years, he was a stock car driver, semi-professional baseball player, singer-songwriter, cattle rancher, automobile dealer

(Castle Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Castle Rock), land developer (including The Pinery, Deerfield, Bear Dance, Hidden Village, Russellville, and Woods & River RV Park), investor in data recovery software, waterfront property developer in Montana, initial investor in Colorado Powerline, Coors beer distributor, and a prolific poet. Whatever he pursued, Gene did so wholeheartedly.

Gene married very young and was the proud father of two sons, Gene Russell Taylor and David A. Taylor, whom he loved deeply.

Gene later met the love of his life, Joan Hoery, at the local Grange Hall where his band was playing. They were married on August 28, 1953. As Gene liked to say, “a passionate Protestant married a

practicing Catholic.” Together they built a loving family, welcoming ten children in short order: Linda (Larson), Mark, Lisa, Nanci, Chris, Teresa (Lee), Jon, Jim, Sarah (Taylor-Burn), and Katey (Murphy).

Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Joan; his 11 children; 27 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Nanci Jo in 1966; his grandson, Gene Taylor Jr.; as well as his parents and extended family members. At the time of his passing, Gene was the oldest living member of the Taylor and Webb families.

A Funeral Mass will be held on January 5, 2026, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2746 Fifth Street, Castle Rock, Colorado. The rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon at the church following the service. In accordance with Gene’s wishes, a private family burial will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Castle Rock.