Michael Taylor

Jay “Michael” Taylor died of Covid on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at age 39. He was a loving single dad, known for his amazing barbecue, strong political beliefs, and big heart. Michael was a quiet giant of a man, with a quick wit and saucy, irreverent sense of humor.

Michael was born in Bryan, Texas to Jay Lee and Debbi Taylor on April 4, 1982. He grew up in Florida, Georgia and in Georgetown, Texas. He was a difficult pupil in grade school, because the pace bored him.  Debbi home-schooled the children for two years, which were Michael’s first and second grades. As he progressed in school, Michael tolerated school but didn’t really blossom until he had the freedom of the college environment. He enjoyed band in high school and graduated from Georgetown High School in 2000. He earned an Associate Degree in Entertainment Management from Austin Community College in 2003.

During the years after high school, Michael and several friends, Scott Beavers and J. Rhodes, formed a band called the House of Id. Michael played bass guitar, keyboard, and did some vocals. They produced more than 40 songs of blues, industrial electronic, and horror core rap. Ironically, Apple iTunes approved the newest songs for release just two days after Michael’s passing.

Michael met his wife in high school, but was reintroduced in 2003. Crystal Kemp became a part of the Taylor family, growing close to his sisters, Annelise and Damaris, and brother Alex. Michael and Crystal were married on 7-7-2007 at 7:07 AM, in a wedding chapel in Las Vegas, officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator. It was Michael’s style to add humor and irony to important events in his life. Michael and Crystal were blessed with a son, Evan, in 2008, and a daughter, Aniya, in 2010.

Michael obtained a Bachelor of Science with high honors in Information Technology & Programming from Kaplan University in 2010. He worked for several consulting companies as Program Manager and Senior Cloud Architect, assigned to projects for the Veterans Administration. He earned his Master of Business degree in Information Technology from Texas A&M University in 2019.

He was recently promoted to Commander of Alpha Company (AWS and Azure Cloud Solutions) by his current employer Cognosante, as part of the VA Cloud Operations and Migrations Services (COMS) Program, supporting Veterans throughout the USA.

Over the course of just over 3 years on the program, he was promoted 3 times. By the time he became Alpha Company Commander, he was leading 14 of the most senior Cloud/IT Personnel in the program. Prior to this, Michael led 4 direct reports and more than 40 team members on various IT projects. In all his years of working with the Veterans Administration he was considered one of the most positive and high-impact results-driven people on the missions he supported.

Michael divorced in 2020, and he and Crystal equally shared parenting responsibility. He was close to his children, always planning biking, walks, new restaurants, or trips to the ocean. Michael was a member of Hill Country Bible Church in Georgetown and served on the Praise and Worship team.

Michael is preceded in death by his sister, Damaris and his step-father Glenn Vance. His survivors include his mother Debbi Vance, father Jay Taylor and step-mother Catherine Jewell, children Evan and Aniya, brother Alex and wife Ashlyn, sister Annelise and husband CJ Jones, and former wife Crystal.

Michael will be remembered for his quiet strength, willingness to be there when needed, and dedication to his job, family and friends. It’s comforting to know he’s in heaven and we will see him again someday.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 6, 11:00 AM at Hill Country Bible Church, 600 Stadium Drive, Georgetown. Food and a reception immediately following at Berry Springs Park, 1801 County Rd 152, Georgetown.

In lieu of flowers, we are setting up a go fund me / PayPal / Venmo to support Michael’s beloved children. Donated money will contribute to short and long-term support for the children to thrive despite losing their father.

You can make a contribution at: PayPal.Me/EvaniyaT