Whatever he decided to do, he was all in. He knew he wasn’t perfect, as none of us are, but he never quit trying to change for the better. Mike had a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ and loved God with all his heart, all his soul, all his mind, and all his strength. He was always trying to make a friend, be a friend, and bring that friend to Christ.
Michael “Mike” Dean Taylor, 65, Great Falls, died April 11, 2022, in a motorcycle accident near Parker, CA. He was an owner-partner of Taylor’s Auto Group.
A viewing was held at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The funeral took place on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at the Central Assembly of God followed by the burial at Highland Cemetery.
Mike Taylor was born Nov. 4, 1956, in Clovis, NM, the fifth of six sons of Lloyd and Barbara Taylor. An Air Force family, they moved to Sembach Air Force Base, Germany, then to Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana. The family settled in Great Falls in 1964 when his father retired from the military.
At 17, he became a car salesman, which was the beginning of a long career in the automobile business. In those early years, he was passionate about building and racing stock cars. He loved his horses and hunting trips in the mountains. A hard worker, he also played hard. He loved to ski, dirt bike, and snowmobile with his family, brothers, nephews, and his many friends. He was passionate about riding his Harley Davidson, traveling the open roads of most of the western U.S. and Canada for the past 24 years as one of the “Three Amigos,” including wife, Karon and brother, Ron.
Mike loved his earlier vacations at Camp Tuffit on Lake Mary Ronan, his special cabin in the Little Belt Mountains, and boating, most lately at Flathead Lake. He lived “Large,” touching many people in many ways. He had an especially huge heart for anyone who was alone or down on their luck.
In the early 1980s, he started a business venture with his brother Jim, and sister-in-law, Bamma. He made a Catholic Cursillo and started his walk with Jesus Christ and joined Alcoholics Anonymous. He was a few months from celebrating 40 years of sobriety. He helped many become sober, and shared this ministry with several brothers, mentoring more people than can be listed. He loved all animals! His dogs, Rusty, Jake, Chevy, and now Torque and Wesson, were precious to him. Over 20 years ago he became a private pilot, eventually accomplishing the coveted instrument rating.
Starting with basically nothing, the business venture became what is now known as “Taylor’s Auto Group.” This includes Taylor’s Automax, Buick GMC, Nissan, Jim Taylor’s Motors, Taylor’s Transportation, and The Taylor Land Partnership.
He was a beloved, phenomenal car man, and the best brother-partner you could ever have. Without Mike, the Taylor’s Auto Group would not be what it is today. He traveled millions of miles and bought thousands of cars. He truly was our Superman.
Mike’s children from a previous marriage, Lindsay and Chad are the delights of his life. In 2009 he met his true love, Karon. She would bring her sons Joey and Trevor into the family. Altogether they would bless Mike and Karon with eleven grandchildren, Kade, Henley, Aspen, Grey, Caelin, Rilynn, Remingtyn, Koen, Jackson, Hailey, and Lincoln. He was crazy about the times he spent with them. Mike also made sure that his special needs son, Trevor, was living life to the fullest.
Whatever he decided to do, he was all in. He knew he wasn’t perfect, as none of us are, but he never quit trying to change for the better. Mike had a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ and loved God with all his heart, all his soul, all his mind, and all his strength. He was always trying to make a friend, be a friend, and bring that friend to Christ.
We all love you and will miss you, Mike.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Karon Taylor; daughter, Lindsay (Corbett) Somerfeld; sons, Chad (Abbey) Taylor and Trevor Taylor; stepson, Joey (Stephanie) Iverson; and eleven grandchildren, all of Great Falls; brothers, Lloyd (Sharolyn) Taylor of Great Falls, Ronald (Peggy) Taylor of Missoula, James (Bamma) Taylor of Great Falls, Steven (Annie) Taylor of Great Falls, Mark (Heidi) Taylor of Great Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to New City Church building fund or Echoz. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.
