Teddy Joe Taylor, 80

On the evening of Jan. 29, 2016, Teddy Joe Taylor passed away in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ted was born on Sept. 16, 1935, in Wardner, Idaho. He was the first of six children born to Paul and Naydeen Taylor, late of Kellogg, Idaho. Ted graduated as part of the Kellogg High School class of 1953 and went to work for Bunker Hill. A dedicated family man, Ted also worked additional painting jobs after his regular shifts. After 30 years with Uncle Bunk, Ted and Maggie moved to Ellensburg, where they both worked at Central Washington University for 13 years. In their retirement they moved first to Spokane, Wash., and then Post Falls, Idaho.

A lifelong sports fan, Ted played shortstop for American Legion and City League teams. He coached Little League baseball for all three of his sons and his grandson. Ted rarely missed a chance to watch the Seattle Mariners, the Seattle Seahawks or the Gonzaga basketball team. He attended countless golf, baseball, basketball, football, soccer and volleyball games to watch his children and grandchildren play.

Ted’s love of the Lord was evident to everyone who had the opportunity to speak with him. Blessed with the heart of a servant, Ted’s mission was to help people know the Lord. He was a dedicated member of several church bodies throughout his life. For the last 11 years, he served as an usher and thrift store volunteer at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls.

Ted is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret Taylor. He met Maggie in 1953 at the Wilma Theater in Wallace, Idaho, and loved her from then until he joined his Father in Heaven.

Ted is survived by four children, 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He leaves behind: a son Bob and his wife Julie Taylor (Post Falls), their son Sam and his wife Katherine Taylor and their children Wesley, Asher and Finnegan (Morrow Bay, Calif.), and their younger son Mike and his wife Michelle Taylor and their children Gwendolyn, Emily and Evelyn (Post Falls); a son Ted Taylor Jr. (Post Falls), his son Joe and his wife Kim Taylor (Coeur d’Alene), and his younger son Alan Taylor and his girlfriend Liz Poulsen (Portland), and Ted’s daughter-in-law Paula (Post Falls); a daughter Dianna and her husband Steve Roberts (Prescott, Ariz.), their daughter Teddi Jo and her husband John Dickerson and their son Cooper (Gilbert, Ariz.), their daughter Kelli Roberts (Chandler, Ariz.), and their daughter Shawn Roberts and her boyfriend Spencer Berg (Boise, Idaho); and a son, Paul Taylor and his partner Meg Montgomery (Liberty Lake), and his children Calico, Zach and Scarlett, and Ted’s daughter-in-law Aleta Taylor (Post Falls).

Ted is also survived by three sisters and a brother: Patricia and her husband Burt Roberts (Meridian, Idaho); Nancy and her husband Terry McMorrow (Meridian); David and his wife Sue Taylor (Vancouver) and Susie and her husband Ralph Lowe (Meridian).

Ted was predeceased by his parents, Paul (1996) and Naydeen Taylor (2002); and a brother, Ronald (1946).

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in Building No. 2 at Real Life Ministries, 1866 N. Cecil Road, Post Falls. Donations in Ted’s memory may be made to ALZWA, the Washington chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or to Real Life Ministries.