Del Roy Taylor

Del Roy Taylor, loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and best friend concluded his battle with cancer on January 19, 2019 at the age of 87 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born at home in Colonia Dublan, Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico to Harvey LeRoy Taylor and Della Ann O’Donnal. He was the eldest of three boys and deeply loved his brothers, Wayne and Randall. His early years were filled with many health challenges, as the family struggled to help him survive. His parents moved the family to El Paso, Texas during the Great Depression to seek medical help in an attempt to save Del Roy’s life. During the long trip to the United States, baby Del Roy stopped breathing several times. He was saved through the faith of his mother, as she insisted that he receive several priesthood blessings each time he stopped breathing and others discussed turning the car around believing Del Roy had died. His father’s blessings and his mother’s faith allowed him to survive. The many sacrifices of his parents were never forgotten by Del Roy and he cherished life’s joys as well as its obstacles as gifts of grace from God.

He was a proud graduate of Austin High School, class of 1949. He served on the student counsel, was Captain of the ROTC, Drama Club, cheer squad and took the leading roll in the school’s senior play and later attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he enjoyed studying geology. Del Roy met and married the love of his life, Joyce Dansie, on April 5, 1967 in the Salt Lake Temple. They cherished each other for the next 51 years. Del Roy brought to the marriage four handsome boys, Russell, David, Layne and Sean. Sean was later sealed to Joyce and Del Roy and they went on to welcome five more beautiful children, James, Ruth Ann, Jesse, Mark and Daniel.

Del Roy was a life long faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings in the Church including youth Sunday school teacher (his favorite calling), councilor in several Bishoprics, high counselor, and as a seminary teacher. He and Joyce served a full time Mission in the Cherry Hill, New Jersey Mission and as missionaries in the Salt Lake City Inner City Mission. Joyce and Del Roy enjoyed serving as Temple workers for many years in both the Jordan River and Draper Temples.

Del Roy worked hard to provide for his family. He was an entrepreneur and proud independent State Farm Insurance agent for 40 years before he retired to Draper, Utah with his family. Above all he loved to serve others. He was a member of the National Society of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers. He served as President of the EL Paso Rotary Club and as a member of the Draper-Riverton Rotary Club of Utah. His life was a legacy of love, faith and integrity.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Dansie; children, Russell, Layne, Ruth Ann, Jesse (Claudia), Mark (Jamie) and Daniel; 22 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; brothers, Wayne and Randall (Sondra). He is preceded in death by his mother and father; sons, David, Sean, and James; grandson, Christopher Joseph (C.J.).

The family would like to express their gratitude for the healthcare providers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for their excellent care.

A viewing will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday, January 25th at the Corner Canyon 3rd Ward, 13350 S. 1750 E., Draper, Utah. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Corner Canyon 3rd Ward, 13350 S. 1750 E., Draper, Utah. There will be a viewing prior to the funeral service from 9:00 a.m to 10:30 a.m. Burial service will be at the Herriman City Cemetery.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Del Roy Taylor, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.