Gary Taylor
December 23, 1936 - November 15, 2025
Obituary
Taylor, Gary Robert
Saginaw Twp., Michigan
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and dear friend passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025 at Wellspring Senior Living Campus. He was 88 years old. Gary Robert Taylor was born on December 23, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Robert K. and Lorraine (LaChance) Taylor. Gary received his teaching degree in elementary education from Concordia-River Forest (now Chicago), where he lettered in football. He then earned a graduate degree in secondary education and a Master's of Education in Library Sciences from Wayne State University. Gary met Jeanette Gail Newman, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church/School in Detroit as young adults, where Gary was a teacher. Their relationship grew and they were married on July 20, 1963. Gary's career as a teacher, principal and librarian moved him and his family from Detroit to St. Clair Shores, to Roseville, and to Saginaw, where he served as head librarian at Valley Lutheran High School from 1981-1987. He then headed to Westland, California, serving as a Reference Librarian at Concordia Irvine, and then back to Saginaw. Gary retired from Carrollton Schools in 1999, serving a total of 15 years as a teacher and 15 years as a librarian. When Gary was not a school, he loved to sing. His voice could be heard praising the Lord with the “Peacemen” and CM1 with Thurlow Spurr. Gary, who was a former member of Peace Lutheran Church, enjoyed serving his community at Old Town Christian Outreach and was a faithful member of Shield of Faith Ministries.
Gary is survived by his wife loving wife, Jeanette, who together have celebrated 62 wonderful years; his daughters: Jennifer (David) McClure and Stephanie (Jeff) Davis; grandchildren: Elizabeth (Jacob) DeKarske, Ariel (Justin) Nations, Ryan McClure and Anthony “Tony” Davis; great grandchildren: Jonathan and Jethro DeKarske and Liam Nations; siblings-in-law: Linda Clark and Joyce (Keith) Newberry; many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dane Harland Taylor; siblings-in-law, Warren (Mary) Newman, Thomas Clark and Mary Kay Newman.
Visitation will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Shield of Faith Ministries, 10322 Swan Creek Road, Saginaw, MI 48609. Visitation will continue at Shield of Faith Ministries on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. Cremation will follow the funeral service and Gary will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorials in honor of Gary may be made to Shield of Faith Ministries, Valley Lutheran High School or the Saginaw Rescue Mission.
Saginaw Twp., Michigan
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and dear friend passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025 at Wellspring Senior Living Campus. He was 88 years old. Gary Robert Taylor was born on December 23, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Robert K. and Lorraine (LaChance) Taylor. Gary received his teaching degree in elementary education from Concordia-River Forest (now Chicago), where he lettered in football. He then earned a graduate degree in secondary education and a Master's of Education in Library Sciences from Wayne State University. Gary met Jeanette Gail Newman, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church/School in Detroit as young adults, where Gary was a teacher. Their relationship grew and they were married on July 20, 1963. Gary's career as a teacher, principal and librarian moved him and his family from Detroit to St. Clair Shores, to Roseville, and to Saginaw, where he served as head librarian at Valley Lutheran High School from 1981-1987. He then headed to Westland, California, serving as a Reference Librarian at Concordia Irvine, and then back to Saginaw. Gary retired from Carrollton Schools in 1999, serving a total of 15 years as a teacher and 15 years as a librarian. When Gary was not a school, he loved to sing. His voice could be heard praising the Lord with the “Peacemen” and CM1 with Thurlow Spurr. Gary, who was a former member of Peace Lutheran Church, enjoyed serving his community at Old Town Christian Outreach and was a faithful member of Shield of Faith Ministries.
Gary is survived by his wife loving wife, Jeanette, who together have celebrated 62 wonderful years; his daughters: Jennifer (David) McClure and Stephanie (Jeff) Davis; grandchildren: Elizabeth (Jacob) DeKarske, Ariel (Justin) Nations, Ryan McClure and Anthony “Tony” Davis; great grandchildren: Jonathan and Jethro DeKarske and Liam Nations; siblings-in-law: Linda Clark and Joyce (Keith) Newberry; many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dane Harland Taylor; siblings-in-law, Warren (Mary) Newman, Thomas Clark and Mary Kay Newman.
Visitation will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Shield of Faith Ministries, 10322 Swan Creek Road, Saginaw, MI 48609. Visitation will continue at Shield of Faith Ministries on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. Cremation will follow the funeral service and Gary will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorials in honor of Gary may be made to Shield of Faith Ministries, Valley Lutheran High School or the Saginaw Rescue Mission.
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Memories
KM
Karl M
Other •
1 file added to the album Carrollton
KM
Karl M
Other •
I'm sorry to hear of Mr. Taylor's passing. He was the librarian for the first three years I was in high school at Carrollton, also the SADD and PRT advisor. He was fun to be around and I loved his sense of humor. Rest in Peace, Mr. Taylor.
CB
Cheryl (Petzold) Burtrum
Other •
A wonderful librarian at VLHS while I was a student there- Class of 1989- I remember him helping me in using the Bible commentaries for OT/NT classes. A professional and caring teacher/librarian. I've been a librarian for over 30 years and remember the impact he had on me. Sending prayers to the family-
GM
Gloria Murray
Other •
Jeanette and family....I m so sorry for your loss! I remember Gary as a wonderful Christian man and a friend to all at Peace! He devoted himself to God, his family, his friends and his work! He will be very missed. Sending prayers, love and hugs! Miss you! -Gloria Murray
BW
Bill Wood
Other •
My prayers and deepest sympathies to the entire Taylor family. I am very sorry for your loss. Mr. Taylor was a kind, loving Christian man, whom I was honored to have known at Peace and VLHS. God bless you all and may the peace of Christ and His promise that Mr. Taylor is rejoicing in heaven with our Savior Jesus, be with and keep you all.
O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting? 1 Cor. 15:55.
In Christ and with love,
Bill Wood
RC
Richard & Paulette Curry
Other •
Richard & Paulette Curry purchased the Classic Sympathy Dish Garden for the family of Gary Taylor.