Richard "Rick" Francis Taylor Jr.

March 20, 1956 - April 6, 2020

Richard Francis Taylor Jr., loving husband, son, brother, godfather, uncle, and a devoted father, passed away on April 6th, 2020 in Newport Beach at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. He found rest while in the arms and comfort of his wife and best friend, Irene Taylor, and his children Andrew, Melissa, and Evelyn.

He passed after a courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. Rick fearlessly lived his final years the way he lived his entire life--surrounded by the dear friends and family who fervently loved him and his servant's heart.

Rick, the second child of Richard Taylor Sr. and Lois Williams, was born on March 20th, 1956 in Valdosta, Georgia. He followed his older sister, Teresa, whom he loved dearly.

After graduating from California State University, Fullerton, and completing law school at Western Law, Rick served others through his law practice, specializing in Workers' Compensation and Sports Law. He was continuously an active member of the local community, volunteering as an usher at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and on numerous city committees.

In 1978, Rick met Irene and the rest was history. The couple went on to be married in 1985, and could be found nearly every weekend at a movie theatre catching a new flick throughout their entire marriage. They were blessed with three children and many, many pets through the years. They truly are best friends & soul mates.

A lover of skiing, surfing, the Sierra mountains, and Dodger baseball, Rick lived every day with a sense of excitement and passion. His humor, pranks, and laugh were contagious to those around him, as well as his sincerity and kindness.

Above all else, Rick was a father, and it was his favorite thing to be. Protecting, teaching, and loving his three children was his ultimate life's dream, and he lived this out everyday. He coached plenty of teams for every sport his kids could have possibly played--baseball, basketball, soccer--you name it. In addition to coaching, he found a passion for refereeing and spent countless hours out on the soccer field, smiling from ear to ear. His children admired and adored him, and always will.

Although gone from this world, he will always be held tightly in the hearts and souls of those who love him. He lives on through us.

Considering the context of the pandemic during his passing, his ashes were privately spread by his family in one of his favorite places.