Michael Leslie Taylor

Michael Leslie Taylor was born September 25, 1943, in Wooster, Ohio, to Mervin and Betty (Phelps) Taylor. He passed away Thursday, February 25, 2016, in Long Beach, California, at the age of 72.



In August of 1959, Michaels family moved to Anaheim, California. Michael graduated from Anaheim High School in June of 1961. He chose to further his education, earning an Associate in Arts degree from Fullerton College in 1964, and a Bachelors degree from the DeVry Institute of Technology in 1975. Answering his countrys call, he honorably served in the US Army from 1967-1969. Since moving to Anaheim, Michael has resided in Orange County, California, most recently in Garden Grove.



Mike was a real jokester who loved to laugh and to make others laugh. At the same time, he knew when to be serious. He was strong-minded and always took a stand for the right. He loved his son, David, and he was an honorable father.



Gardening, fishing, and classic cars were among his favorite pasttimes. His sister recalls, As a young adult, Mike spent his free time tinkering with used cars. Today those cars would be called classics. He recycled them, making repairs and getting them to run like new again, only to sell them and start on the next car. It wasnt unusual to see Mike poring over a new pink slip and DMV forms, or to find him with a crew of helpers hoisting up a car engine in the garage rafters so he could make repairs. Mike refurbished over a hundred cars, and among them was his personal favorite, a 1954 Chevy Corvette convertible.



Survivors include his son, David Michael Taylor; his father, Mervin Leslie Taylor; and sisters, Jacqulin Strickler, Terry Lee Taylor-Heskett, and Sherry Ann Norton. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Betty, with whom he was extremely close.



Viewing will take place from 9-10:45am on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 E. Philadelphia St., Whittier, California. A graveside service will follow at 12:30pm at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, California.