David L. Taylor

David Leroy Taylor went to be with the Lord at age 80 in San Diego, California on Wednesday, May 21st, 2014 at 3:36 in the afternoon. He was born in Seattle, Washington on January 12, 1934 and moved to San Diego when he was 5 years old. His parents were David Albert Taylor who had many occupations. He died of a heart attack when Dave was 14, and Doris Irene Dysert Taylor who worked for Navy News as well as being an artist craftswoman and fun loving grandmother, and person that everyone loved being around. Dave had a step-father, Willy (Mel) Taylor, who was a Marine and helped him become a strong, independent and honorable man, protective of, and serious about, taking care of his wife and family.

Dave’s sisters are Diane and Donna, and his step-brother is Jim, who he got to know and bonded with in his adult years and is best friends with to this day.

Dave met his sweetheart, Linda, when he was 18, and when he decided he loved her and wanted to marry her, he enlisted into the Army to bide his time until she was of a proper age to leave home to start a new life with him, and they then married on March 10th, 1956. He was stationed in Korea for much of his military life, and was proud to tell stories of his duties and sketched cartoons of his experiences, showing the artistic abilities passed on to him by his mother.

Dave knew he wanted to be in the graphic arts field and specifically in printing when he was in Junior High School, and after his military commitments, he pursued his desires by working for printing companies until he was able to start his own when his children were young, calling his first print shop SOS Printing, in 1967. In 1980 he expanded and sold the SOS name and started Spectrum Printing, Inc. where he continued to grow, lead, and bring in many family members, church members, friends and those interested in his business to learn a trade, get experience and either stay to continue to help grow and support Spectrum or move on to start their own businesses or enhance their own personal goals, having gained what Dave freely gave and encouraged. He also simply helped all that said they needed it by giving them a job, earning what they needed in order to make ends meet. Dave was humbly grateful to see all of his employees succeed and prosper in their own ways just as he was supported in his own goals by his mentors.

Dave and Linda raised 4 wonderful children; David Wayne, Joan Lynne, Gary Leroy and Don Addison, with loving care and a strong sense of family, and faith.

Dave was baptized as a youngster, but became a born again Christian when attending Paradise Hills Baptist Church in 1966, and his children soon followed in his footsteps, with the support and prayers and example of Linda, who was always dedicated to the Lord and prayer.

Dave always did what he did to the best of his ability and with full dedication, loving to pray and read his bible. He loved being under the guidance of Brother Charlie Garringer who baptized him as an adult and Brother Bob Kleinschmidt; both were strong bible teachers, not just preachers, which he appreciated. He had strong knowledge of scripture and taught, mentored and discipled for many years. Dave was very upset when his eyesight failed him after a stroke, because he loved to read but he didn’t give up, and his prayer life never failed. He had lists of people he prayed for and continued to pray for always. Dave and Linda prayed together and their lists were long and blessed. Their trust in and reliance in the Lord was amazing and set a great example for all.

When Dave was at his prime, he enjoyed Racquetball and Tennis. He and Linda made many friends this way, and through their travels. Dave’s love of movies started as a child because his father was a movie reviewer and took him to all of the first runs. Movies were always a big part of his life. He was fun loving and a very generous friend. Everyone enjoyed being around this positive, supportive man.

Dave’s biggest regret was in having to close his business in 2004, and he was never the same after that. His greatest concern was for his employees at the time, and he continued to pray for them as they sought new employment and life after Spectrum. He always spoke well of everyone he worked with then and in the past, and continued through all of his last days. He always said, “Don’t worry about it, everything will be OK”, no matter what the situation. He always directed people to focus on the positive and would redirect conversations to “talk about good things”.

It was hard to find a favorite bible verse or scripture to share because in his many bibles he had many verses highlighted and underlined, but another favorite saying was, “If It Is Meant To Be, It Is Up To Me”.

When grandchildren started arriving, Dave and Linda were in their prime, and not only enjoyed the coming of each and every one of them, they were also enjoying traveling and their sports together. They still cherish the pictures, trinkets, trophies and relationships they’ve gained along the way. One great trip for the grandchildren (before the 2 youngest were old enough to go) was when they took 6 of them all at the same time to Disneyland…they didn’t realize what they were asking for but enjoyed it to the fullest. It was the first trip there for the kids and the last for Dave and Linda. Dave supported his children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors and even gave any of the grandchildren who wanted to, the opportunity to work at Spectrum but none of them enjoyed it enough to make it their career choice. He’s proud of his grandchildren’s choices for their lives and continued to pray for their best every day. They are the first generation in the family for anyone move out of town and now he’s got his first born, Andrew and his wife Ana, in Seattle, near to where he was born. One of his granddaughters, Kelli and her husband Chad and 2 children, Brennan (5) and Claire (3), live in Alameda, California. Those two belong to Joan and Ralph and they also have a daughter living here in town, Alisha, with her 2 children, Raymond (14), and Natalia (8). Gary and Donna’s 2 sons, David and his wife Daniela and their 2 children, Bradley (10) and Erik (7) along with Steven are all in the Air Force and stationed in Germany right now. David and Peggy have 1 son in the Air Force also; Nathan and his wife Melissa and their 2 children, Aiden (11) and Luke (4) who are stationed in Missouri right now. Their children still living in San Diego are Ryan and his wife Teri with their 2 children, Austin (9) and Dustin (7), along with Taylor, and Jessica with her 2 children, Benjamin (3) and Machenzie (2). Don’s family (his wife of 33 years, Laurie, passed away this past December) is all still in town. Dana and her husband Jacob have 3 children who are Hunter (11), Gavin (8), and Madison (7), and his other daughter Jana, has 1 daughter, Alana (9).

What a large and close, loving family even though some are far away. Dave tried to make it to all of the special occasions and celebrations that he possibly could, but sometimes it gets to be too overwhelming. In recent times it seems that most gatherings have been at Dave and Linda’s home, which was great for him.

Dave will be missed by many. He had a group he liked to meet at Camel’s Breath and enjoy lunchtime with on Mondays and Fridays. He really looked forward to those times, and even tried all he could to go there on the Monday before he passed away. Though David and Joan tried as they might to make their parents happy by getting him there, he just didn’t have the strength to make it. He ended up needing to rest for a few moments but fell asleep and didn’t wake up until the lunch group would have been gone for the day. He told us not to worry as he would be alive and kickin’ for another 10 to 20 years. He was a determined man and never gave up, even at the end, where he still was telling us that he was OK and everything was fine.

All of Dave’s children, and Linda of course, were with him when he passed away, peacefully. Although he really would have preferred being at home, he went fast when it was determined that there was nothing else they could do for him that his body would tolerate. He didn’t want any excessive measures taken to prolong this life and was ready when he and Linda decided it was time. He was conscious right up until the end, and the last thing that Dave and Linda did was to pray together, holding hands tightly. We had him promise to continue to watch over us and save us a place in HEAVEN, and we know he’s doing just that!!

Please come celebrate his life on Saturday, June 7th, 2014 at 10:00am at Gateway Church. It’s located in El Cajon at 1280 North Johnson Ave., Suite 102. Dave’s current Pastor Mark Jappe will officiate the service and there will be a time during the service where anyone who wants to will be able to say a few words. His body will be cremated and entombed in his bust that an employee, Oldrich Roykta, sculpted in bronze for him and Linda and put on a pedestal in the Bible Mausoleum at Greenwood Mortuary on Imperial Ave. in San Diego, on the top floor overlooking the display of what appears as Jesus’ open tomb.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.

Thank you for being a part of our family, and remember…Don’t worry about it, everything will be OK.