Laura Alice Kaylor

Laura Alice (Juanita) Garber Kaylor was born to Charles and Edna Garber on January 7, 1931, in Sarcoxie, Missouri on a farm outside of town. Laura was the youngest of three children. Laura’s sister, Alene Garber Deputy, was 10 years older than Laura and she died at the age of 20. Laura’s older brother, George Garber, was 12 years older and he died at the age of 82.

As the much younger sister, she was spoiled by her older brother (as much as was possible during The Depression) and was very smart. Her brother George went into the US Army during WW II and George became an Army Air Corps medic. While George was overseas, stationed in London, Laura’s father, who suffered from heart trouble, died on Christmas Day, 1943.

George was unable to return home, having been seriously wounded when a bomber crash landed at the base airport returning from a bombing run. Laura and her mother ran the farm as best they could. Laura also took over driving the family at the age of 13 because Laura’s mother was a terrible driver. At the end of her life, Laura was very proud of her driving ability, even when her grandchildren refused to ride with her. Laura gave up driving at the age of 90.

Laura met Loren Kaylor the summer before her senior year. Loren was a transplant from California, and he was very handsome and athletic. These two became high school sweethearts and graduated in 1949. They were married on September 16, 1950, in Rogers, Arkansas, a small wedding attended only by their mothers.

Laura attended Southwest Missouri State University for 3 semesters, majoring in math. After they married, she worked outside the home, mainly as an executive secretary to an oil company president. By this time, they had moved to Kansas City.

While Loren was overseas, having been drafted in the US Army, Laura stayed in Kansas City and she lived with a Jewish doctor and his family, working in an office during the day and watching their three children at nights and on the weekends. From everything Laura has shared about this time in her life, she grew very fond of the family, and they were fond of Laura.

When Loren returned from Italy, they moved to southeast Kansas where he worked selling insurance and it was here where they started a family. Their first child, Cynthia, was stillborn in early 1955. Soon after in September 1956, Pam was born.

During that time, they grew tired of moving from small town to small town, so they moved back to Kansas City. Another daughter, Sarah, was born during that time, but she died shortly after birth. Laura did not think they would have any more children, but in January 1962, Alan was born.

In 1965, Loren was promoted to manager of Standard Brands and the family moved to Arvada, Colorado. Laura continued to be a stay-at-home mom, but when it came time to pay for college tuition, she started a daycare business in her home. This arrangement led to many strong relationships with the families in her care, as most stayed from infancy until they started school; sometimes longer.

Laura Kaylor retired from daycare briefly, but when her granddaughter, Amanda was born, Laura went back to work, not retiring from being a daycare professional until she was almost 70.

Amanda couldn’t quite say Grandma, so when she heard her Uncle Alan tease her and say, “that’s my mom,” eventually it became “Mamaw.” All of her grandkids and the daycare kids began calling Kaylor’s Mamaw and Papaw.

Laura and Loren were able to travel in retirement, visiting Europe twice and many trips back to their families in the Ozarks of Missouri.

Laura was a proud member of Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church. Their family having joined JAUMC in late 1965 or early 1966. Laura was a member of the UMW, and she participated in the Circles and all of the many events that the women of the Church supported.

Laura Kaylor was a Methodist from birth, having been raised in the faith. Laura last attended church worship services in Wheat Ridge four weeks before her death.

Laura loved her family, and she was delighted to have grandchildren. Laura was an excellent cook, having learned from her mother. The daycare children would all comment on how Mamaw’s mac and cheese and toast were better than any meal that their parents made.

Laura was very proud of her family. She leaves two children, Pam (Brian) and Alan (Gail), five grandchildren, Amanda (Peter), Megan, Kelsey (Tom), Shelby, (Nick) and Cayden.

Laura also leaves eight great-grandchildren (Elizabeth, Olivia, Maverick, Decker, Blakely, Evvie, Becket, and Callen).

In addition, Laura Kaylor leaves a beloved sister-in-law, Judy Howerton and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

A celebration of Laura’s life and legacy will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 11 AM at Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church, 4425 Kipling St., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, or the ALS foundation.