Mark Spencer Taylor Sr.

Mark S. Taylor was born in Portland, Oregon on July 16, 1956. The family moved to Chicago when Mark was a child, and Mark’s first major act of rebellion was to hitchhike back to North Portland in 1971. The son of a long haul trucker, he followed none of society’s rules and was as free-spirited as they come. He was one-of-a-kind. He worked many jobs over the years, most notably for Nicolai Doors and True Value, where he bought a 40 foot semi-trailer, his pride and joy. He would pay many thousands for the storage of that trailer, which held all of his prized possessions including three wood stoves, all the camping gear you could think of, and many other items in case the need ever arose (think apocalypse). It included massive wood beams and several barrels of paint for the Alaskan cabin he dreamed of but can only build in Heaven now.

His sparkling eyes would capture anyone's attention, and his presence could command a room. He loved his many pets over the years, particularly Sam Whisky, Stormy, and his purebred Newfoundland's Bo and Sammy. Camping, hunting, fishing and traveling were his favorite activities with his family, the more the merrier.

He lived each day as its own, without a thought to yesterday or tomorrow. Susceptible to self-destruction, he was diagnosed with diabetes in the early 90’s and chose to ignore it until he was diagnosed with acute renal failure in 2009, when he entered the dialysis program in Longview, Washington. Even on dialysis, he did not slow down. He took a few trips to Arizona and Texas with his nephew Josh, planning the dialysis stops along the way. His last trip in 2018 ended in the corner of an emergency room for colon cancer, which forced him to slow down. Unfortunately, his inability to participate in self-care and healing or work with social services forced him on the streets and in local shelters over the past year, where he was most comfortable with other people in need. He would sleep in the cab of his truck if it meant two more could sleep in the back. He would do anything for a cheeseburger, Junior Mints, or a cigarette. He would give you his last clean shirt if you truly needed it.

His family thanks the staff of Love Overwhelming for sharing their love and understanding with him, something we were incapable of doing without sacrificing ourselves. He was a man that chased the fantasy of what could be instead of cultivating what is.

In 1978, after the birth of his son, Mark Jr, Mark partied for three straight days. He married Laura Lee Felix in 1980, and they later divorced. His princess Kristina came along in 1983. One of his happiest days was when his son Dustin was born in 1985. He had many companions and caregivers in the following years, including Kathy, Sherrie, Jana, and most recently Tami Lien, who has been just tough enough to struggle through life with Mark the last 5 years. He could never decide if he loved you or not, kind of like Northwest weather, wait 5 minutes, it will probably change.

More than anything else and without hesitation, Mark loved his grandchildren Kevin, Karin (Andrew), Mark III, Cody, Kolton, Kaiden, and Klaradee. He did not have the pleasure of meeting Kaylor, but we hope she was there to greet him at the gate and hold his hand.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Katherine (Bowers) Townsend, Luther Taylor, and step-father Jack Townsend, as well as sister Rena, brother Scott, and granddaughter Kaylor. He is survived by his siblings Rick, Paul, William (Billy), and Yvette, children Mark Jr (Amanda), Kristina, and Dustin (Suzanne) Kasner, 7 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, including Josh Sherwood, who was a son to him.

Pallbearers:

Dustin Kasner

Kolton Kasner

Josh Sherwood

Cody Taylor

Kevin Taylor

Mark Taylor

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com for the Taylor family.