D. Michael Taylor

Dennis Michael Taylor (“Mike”) usually referred to and commonly known as a damn nice guy, died on September 7, 2023 in Naples, FL surrounded by his wife and four children. Mike battled Bulbar-onset ALS for the last five years. He lived his life with a never-give-up attitude and he fought hard to the very end. We are devastated that we had to say goodbye.

Mike was born October 30, 1941 in Phillips, Texas, the second of three sons to Lloyd Howell and Laura Jane Taylor. He grew up in Caney, Kansas and received a degree in Architecture from Kansas State University in 1963 and he served six years as a drill sergeant in the Army Reserves. He started his architectural career traveling the country building service stations for Phillips 66, which eventually brought him to State College, PA in 1975. He loved the town so much that he made it his home, and he built a successful career as an architect and real estate developer. In his later years, Mike loved to drive around town and point out the dozens of commercial and residential properties he built.

In the spring of 1977, he met Susan Carol Faulds and it was love at first sight. They married on August 13, 1977 in Hollidaysburg, PA and they were a great team for 46 years. Mike and Susan raised their four children in State College and resided there until 2014. After many years of being snowbirds, they moved to Naples, Florida to enjoy retirement in the sunshine.

Mike worked hard, but never at the sacrifice of his family and friends. He was a remarkable husband and father. He was always there for his kids to give his love and life advice with his special “Mikie” flare. Each of his kids can recite many of his one-liners that they reference in hard times, rendering both a smile and sound guidance.

He showed the same love and acceptance to all he met. To know Mr. T was to love Mr. T. As the gathering place of the neighborhood, he made everyone feel welcome in the beautiful home he built and made sure it was a safe place for everyone. He loved to host Penn State Football tailgates at a parking spot right up against Beaver stadium and he always made sure to have a cooler full of Mrs. T’s signature foil-wrapped hot dogs, piping hot chicken wings and her legendary brownies. He loved playing golf until the very end and was forever grateful to his friends who made it possible, even as his ALS progressed.

Mike’s storytelling was legendary. Anyone who knew him felt like they could write a novel about the characters from his childhood in Caney, KS – first and last names included. At the beginning of his battle with ALS, he lost his ability to speak. Although his family had heard his stories more times than they could count, they wanted nothing more than to hear them one more time.

Mike lived a full and wonderful life. His battle with ALS in his final years was harrowing, but he met each challenge with perseverance and a positive attitude. Mike will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. His jokes, stories and “Mikie-isms” will live on through all of us.

In addition to his wife Susan, Mike is survived by his 4 children: Zack Taylor (Andrea Johnson) of El Cerrito, CA, Kate Reilly (Dan) of Raleigh, NC, John Taylor of Los Angeles, CA, and Annie Slattery (Patrick) of St. Petersburg, FL; 6 grandchildren whom he enjoyed and adored, Anise and Diego Fernandez, of Oakland, CA, Eleanor and Libby Reilly, of Raleigh, NC, and Jack and Charlie Slattery, of St. Petersburg, FL; Brother, Hal Taylor and Sister-In-Law Janice of Georgetown, TX and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Jane and brother Douglas (1947-2018).

To the most wonderful father in the whole world - we love you more than life itself.

There will be a celebration of Mike’s life on Sunday, September 24th at 1pm at the Vineyards Country Club in Naples, FL.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Augie’s Quest at https://augiesquest.org/ to help fight this devastating disease.

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