Ronald Leslie Taylor

Ronald Leslie Taylor was born March 16, 1946 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to Mary Bouessa and George Deeb.  Ron’s father died when he was 2 years old.  He and his mother then immigrated to the United States through a special act of Congress, the Mary Bouessa Deeb Act.  His early years were spent in the “Butlerville” area of Salt Lake City (Cottonwood Heights).  He was fortunate to have good neighbors and coaches (a village) to raise him and keep him busy.

When Ron was 12 years old, his mother married Allen E. Taylor and he moved to Farr West, Utah.  Now living on a farm, Ron learned to rise early, milk cows, throw paint on barns, and “borrow” gas from neighboring farms.   He never did learn to ride a horse!  Farr West was a great community of friends and softball.  Ron played shortstop with the Farr West Ward in the 1963 All-Church softball tournament. 

He attended Wahlquist Junior High and was a 1964 graduate of Weber High School.  He was known as “Bear” at Weber High and beloved at assemblies for his dance kicks and antics.    He was a loyal Warrior and never missed a class reunion.

Ron earned a B.S. degree in secondary education from Weber State College and a Master’s degree from Utah State University.  He spent 35 years in education teaching history and physical education, most of it in alternative education.  He was known as “Coach” at Mountain High School (Davis School District) for 31 years.

While a student at Weber State College, Ron began officiating intramural flag football.  That led to 45 years of sports officiating.  He officiated Utah high school football, basketball, and baseball.   He was the 2005 Utah High School Football Official of the Year.  He spent 5 years as a football umpire in the Big Sky Conference.  He was recognized for his distinctive walk, facial features, and knowledge of the rules.

Ron was blessed to serve an LDS mission as a young man in Scotland.  He loved the tartan plaids, the bagpipes, and fish and chips.   He served in a bishopric, as Sunday School president, YM advisor, and stake sports director.  He and his wife, Kathy, served as senior missionaries in the Georgia Atlanta Mission (Cedartown Branch.)  He loved southern food and SEC football. His favorite southern saying was, “Have a blessed day.” Ron had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was blessed with many miracles in his life, especially related to his health issues in his later years. 

Ron married Kathy (Kathleen) Johnson July 1, 1971, in the Logan Temple.  They have four children:  Ryan and Julie Taylor (Brigham City), Brad and Brittany Taylor (Syracuse), Kristen and Duke Di Stefano (Heber City), and Todd Taylor (Farmington.)  He enjoyed 10 wild and crazy grandchildren including six grandsons—Kyle Taylor, Nathan Taylor, Luke Taylor, Aaron Taylor, Jake Taylor and Anderson Di Stefano and four granddaughters—Ali Taylor, Kate Taylor, Emily Taylor, and London Di Stefano.  They loved him for his candies, silly names and tender heart. 

Ron passed away on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Alona Hill.  He is survived by his brother-in-law Robert (Bob) Hill and sister, Jan (Keith) Brady. 

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Atlas Hospice who cared so much for Ron, especially Misty.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Russon Mortuary, 1941 N Main St, Farmington, Utah.   Viewings will be held the night prior on Monday, June 10, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, and prior to the service on Tuesday, June 11, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

For those unable to attend the services in person, the funeral will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page below. The livestream will appear 10-15 minutes prior to the services at 11 a.m. 

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 E Crestwood Rd, Kaysville, Utah.