Dr. Michael Alan Taylor

Mike loomed large in the many lives he touched as a physician, patriarch, and presence in the community. He was extraordinary -- a visionary for the long-term possibilities in life, with unbelievable short-term focus, displayed for years in the things he loved to do, such as performing eye surgery, fly fishing, or playing tennis.

At the same time, he was as relatable as anyone you could meet. Self-effacing, generous, and on most days genial, with a deep soft voice, gentle chuckle, and warm-hearted desire to see others find their way. If you needed an ally or sounding board for any dream or problem, he was there. He loved an underdog and often helped others in need.

Among trademarks were his penchant for long, winding narratives in response to any question. He was an encyclopedia of historical context, and a voracious reader. While he talked, his large, nimble hands often helped to emphasize key points -- perhaps one in the air and the other gently pulling on an ear of one of his dogs.

And for all his talents and accomplishments, he was as flawed as the rest of us. At times he seemed fundamentally incapable of backing down. He could be grudging at best, in taking responsibility for his role in interpersonal conflicts. The sign of a strong willed and passionate man no doubt!

Grateful for the simple pleasures each day brought, he took nothing for granted. He built his life on perseverance and relentless effort. “I was always the youngest in my class at school, small for my age, my parents didn’t have great means, and I wasn’t the smartest. I was a so-so athlete. It seemed like I had to work twice as hard at everything.”

Born May 4, 1937, in Evansville, IN to J. Ervin and Kathleen Taylor, Mike benefitted from the strong positive influence of his older sister, Jane. Bosse High became a mythical place over the years, where Mike played football, basketball and baseball while forming lifelong friendships. He attended Indiana University, where Mike worked odd jobs from waiting tables at a sorority to hauling beer across the state line in the trunk of his car, to sell to thirsty students. Mike and Bette Starkey married in 1959. After just three years as an undergrad, he moved on to IU Medical School, earning his degree in 1961 – at just 24, one of the youngest medical graduates in the country.

The next stop after graduation was the University of Utah for ophthalmology residency and learning to ski. Mike then served in the Air Force as a doctor on bases in Everett and Spokane, followed by the Kresge Eye Institute, Detroit, for surgical training. Mike, an avid fan of basketball, liked to say that he chose ophthalmology to help refs see better. During those years Mike and Bette had three children, Wendy, Michael, John, and, when settled in Yakima, Thad.

At the conclusion of his education and training, the young Taylor family moved to Yakima in 1967, camping out all along the trip west. Once Mike and his young family experienced the West, there was no going back. “We just fell in love with it.”

Mike revered his earliest mentor and partner in in Yakima, Jimmy Thompson, who brought him into his practice before retiring a few years later. Mike ended up buying Dr. Thompson’s home on Lombard Lane, where he and Bette raised the children. It was a hub of nonstop action of ski racing, tennis, youth team sports, horseback riding, a rock n roll drummer and the legendary golden retriever, Trapper. Their annual fall apple cider parties and summer trips to Priest Lake, ID, were among many notable family traditions.

In the early 1970s, Mike and Albert “Hal” Bryan, MD established their own highly accomplished practice. In the early 1980s, a partnership was created starting an innovative free-standing eye surgery center located near Lake Aspen. Such centers have since become standard industry practice. Mike loved practicing medicine, and finally retired in 2018 after 51 years of caring for patients across Central Washington.

Mike truly loved sunny Yakima, its people, geographic landscape, and four seasons. He served for 19 years on the Yakima Public Schools board and was a member of Yakima Rotary. And from his earliest days in town, Mike was fascinated by the farming community. Mike developed an interest in orchards and real estate, making his first hobby orchard purchase in 1968. He continued to be involved in fruit growing operations as an ongoing investment plan. Starting in late 1996, Mike and his son Michael formed a partnership that grew steadily over the years and continues to this day.

He married Rhonda Crow in Hawaii in January 1991. They shared more than three decades of family life (including Rhonda’s sons Brian and Matthew Crow), with challenging, satisfying careers and treasured friendships. They raised several beloved dogs starting with lab Toby in 2001 and shared many worldwide adventures -- all grounded in their strong faith. Mike and Rhonda especially loved Greece, and on their last international trip together in 2022, visited the Holy Land.

Mike loved tennis, fishing, skiing, and could often be found cutting firewood in an orchard and enjoying a beer with friends afterward. Mike studied with the Men’s Bible Study Fellowship for ten years. Since retiring, Mike found time to practice a new passion, guitar. In recent years, he and Rhonda wintered in Arizona in addition to spending time at home in Yakima and Sun Valley, ID.

Mike was exceptionally proud of his family and humbled by the life he led.

Despite recent setbacks with his health, until his final few days he could be heard to say, “I pray for you every day, and I hope it all turns out just the way you want it to.”

Mike is survived by his sister Jane Buttrum (Jack) and her children, Kathy, Jean and David, wife, Rhonda, and sons, Mathew (Abril) and Brian Crow. He is survived by a daughter, Wendy Taylor, and sons, Michael Taylor (Tiffany), John Taylor (Caroline) and Thad Taylor (Erika) and grandchildren Henry and William Samson, Andrew Smith, Caroline and Bella Taylor, Susannah and Julia Taylor, and Todd McMurry, Alex, Blake and Zachary Taylor as well as more recently, Mateo and Pablo Crow.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at Stone Church, 3303 Englewood Ave., Yakima, on Weds., October 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial gifts can be made in Mike’s name to the Yakima Humane Society.