September 6, 1929 - May 29, 2019
Our beloved husband and father, Philip Parkinson Taylor, peacefully passed to the other side on May 29, 2019 at the age of 89. Philip was born in Provo, Utah, on September 6, 1929; as the youngest child of Lester and Vivian Taylor.
Philip loved outdoor adventure including camping, fishing, hunting, boating, flying, snorkeling, scuba diving, water-skiing, snow-skiing and golfing.
Philip was active in scouting, earning an Eagle Scout award and ten additional merit badges. He became a Sea Scout and attended the World Scout Jamboree in France in 1947. He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the London, England mission. He joined the Navy shortly after the end of WWII where he received training as an electrician.
He attended BYU and graduated from Case Western Reserve in dentistry. Upon returning to Utah, he set up a practice in Orem and later moved it to Provo. He established the first dental offices in Sears retail stores in the Salt Lake City area. His desire to help students considering dentistry lead him to create and voluntarily teach a pre-dental class at BYU for 20 years.
His love of travel began as a young boy when he sat on an overturned marshmallow can between the seats of his parent’s car. He continued to travel throughout his life visiting over 100 countries. While in foreign countries he had the ability to make friends regardless of language barriers.
Philip was a leader in the community. He served as president of the Cougar Club and twice as president of the Kiwanis Club. For many years, he spear-headed the Kiwanis breakfast at the Freedom Festival 4th of July Balloon Fest. He has given unselfishly to many people and charities. For example, he went to Guatemala several times with Hirsche Smiles Foundation, providing much needed dental services.
He always had a love for cars. After retiring from dentistry he took up restoring antique cars and enjoyed driving his vintage vehicles on multiple car tours in most states west of the Mississippi. He built an AT Avenger, restored a 1929 Ford Model A and a 1954 Kaiser-Darrin from the ground up.
Later he turned his attention to woodturning. Philip excelled in this avocation just as he did in car restoration. Several of his grandchildren have been inspired by his woodturning and are following in his footsteps. He has blessed many people with beautiful gifts of bowls, pens, candlesticks, ornaments, platters and clocks.
As a young boy, Philip spent his summers at the family cabin at Wildwood in Provo Canyon. Throughout his life he continued to enjoy Wildwood and after his retirement Philip and LaRene spent most of their summers there.
Philip’s greatest joy began on July 29, 1954, when he married the love of his life, LaRene in the Logan Temple and together they raised five daughters. Philip and LaRene are a wonderful example of a love story that will last forever!
He is survived by his wife, LaRene; his daughters Diane Taylor (Richard), Susan Card (Kevin), Toni Clawson (Glenn), Bonnie, and Rebecca Jensen (Wes); 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 3rd, at 11:00 am, at the Rock Canyon Ward, 3050 Mojave Lane, Provo, Utah, where Viewings will be held Sunday, June 2nd, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm and prior to services on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment with Military Honors in Provo City Cemetery.
Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.
