Don Barnett Taylor Jr 1948-2012

TAYLOR

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/28/2012 at 18:27:09

Sioux City Journal
November 25, 2012

SIOUX CITY | The Tillamook County, Ore. Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) is mourning retired Deputy Don Barnett Taylor Jr., formerly of Sioux City, following his passing on Oct. 28, 2012. For 16 years, Don worked for the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office and served the community of Tillamook County. Don retired in 2010 and he and his wife, Marlene, moved to Aurora, Colo., to enjoy their retirement among family and longtime friends.

A celebration of Don Taylor’s life was Nov. 17 at the Tillamook High School Auditorium. Remembering and paying respects to a true hero. A celebration was held Nov. 2, in Aurora, Colo. and members from all divisions of police, fire and search and rescue came to pay respect to a hero.

Don Barnett Taylor Jr. was born on Jan. 4, 1948, in Sioux City, to Frances and Don Taylor. Don was the oldest of four boys, Don, Dennis, Dana and Doug Taylor. Always a very patriotic person, Don had hoped to serve his country in the military, but medical issues prevented him from enlisting. Don graduated high school in 1966 and his work as a soil-testing technician brought him to Craig, Colo., in 1972.

After arriving in Craig, Don began looking toward public safety as a way to serve his community and his country. Don was a volunteer firefighter and was hired by the Craig Police Department as a reserve police officer. In 1981, Don graduated the Colorado Law Enforcement Academy and worked for the Craig Police Department as a patrol officer, K9 handler and rose to the rank of sergeant.

While at the Craig Police Department, Don served as a field training officer for then rookie, and now Moffat County Colorado Sheriff, Tim Jantz.

"Don taught officers the compassion of the job," said Sheriff Jantz. "Craig was a wild boomtown back then, and Don enjoyed wrestling around with people just as much as the next officer. But Don also kept a human point of view of people and he exemplified patience. If it wasn’t for Don Taylor, I wouldn’t be in law enforcement today."

Don Taylor left Colorado, and law enforcement, to attend the University of Oregon to become a counselor. However, the draw of "the job" was too great for him to ignore. In May 1990, Don returned to police work when he was hired by Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked until 1994. It was while working there that Don met the love of his life, Marlene, his wife of 17 years.

In October 1994, Don was hired by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office as a forest deputy. One of Don’s duties was as the search and rescue coordinator for the county. Under Don’s leadership, the TCSO search and rescue team grew to be a truly professional organization filled with dedicated volunteers. Don was well known throughout the Pacific Northwest in his capacity as a SAR coordinator and his grant-writing expertise provided much needed rescue equipment for volunteers throughout Tillamook County.

Don also worked as the ATV instructor for the county and hundreds of kids, parents, and public employees have had the pleasure of experiencing Don’s patience while learning to safely ride their ATV.

Don was known to be tireless when it came to searching for missing and lost people. Don felt it important to search as diligently for strangers as one would for their own family members. This was what got Don out of bed and at the command post regardless of the time of day or night. Many people are alive today thanks to the efforts of Don Taylor.

"Don Taylor was a true American; he was a pleasure to work with. I am honored to have had the privilege of working with him for 16 years. I especially liked working with him on Search and Rescue, which was his passion. He was unmatched in his ability in Search and Rescue. He will be missed by many," said Tillamook County Sheriff Andy Long.

Don is survived by his wife, Marlene Taylor; their children, Michelle Baumgart and husband, Dwight Baumgart of Klamath Falls Ore., Aaron Samsel and his wife, Kyungmi Samsel of Quantico, Va., and Don Samsel of Aurora, Colo.; and brother-in-law, Skip Norris and his wife, Nancy of Santee, Calif.; his grandchildren, Zack, Ryan, Josh and Shane Baumgart, Isabella and Regan Samsel; Don’s brothers, Dennis and his wife, Linda Taylor, Dana Taylor and Doug Taylor; nephew, Scott Taylor; nieces, Kimberly Taylor and Keisha; grandnephews, Draven, Cage, Blake, Jacob; and grandniece, Hailey, all of Sioux City, Iowa.