Tom Taylor

Thomas Samuel Taylor, of Monroe, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 15, 2022 at the age of 68.  He was born Saturday, September 18, 1954 in Zanesville, Ohio to Willard O. and Nancy (nee Ransbottom) Taylor.

With deep roots in southeastern Ohio, Tom was a descendent of coal mine pit bosses and pottery manufacturing plant owners. Heavily influenced by his roots, he learned the importance of hard work and developed the compassion to care for others. These principles guided him throughout his life.

Prompted by health issues, the family relocated in the late 1960’s. They considered the desert climate of Scottsdale, Arizona to be most suitable. His mother, a teacher, secured a job there at Judson School and soon thereafter his father secured a position there as a dorm master. Tom attended the school as well and excelled in all that he pursued. He was a true sportsman and scholar earning multi-year varsity letters in Baseball, Football, and Basketball, serving as an officer in the Rifle Club, serving as senior class Treasurer, and earning the title as class Valedictorian.

Following high school, Tom started working at Handyman Hardware and Lumber. His work ethic quickly earned him a series of promotions setting up a career and expertise in building materials. In his down time, Tom continued growing his passion as a sportsman, gun enthusiast, and adventurer. Along with his brother and close-knit group of friends, Tom was known to “own” the Arizona wilderness. The stories of his capers and exploits made him the subject of folklore.

In the early 1980’s Tom returned to Ohio to help some of his aging family, while also taking a job at Higgins Lumber. What he did not anticipate, however, is that in attending a hog roast on a friend’s farm, he would meet the first love of his life, Sandra J. Valentine. Two years later, they married on June 16, 1984 in Roseville, Ohio.

Tom and Sandi spent the following years building a wonderful life together. They traveled, rooted for Xavier basketball, and watched nieces and nephews as they grew up. He truly loved watching his family play sports and longed for a Musketeers fan of his own.

Magically, their prayers were somehow answered, and they were blessed with the light of their lives, Jillian. Coaching, mentoring, and watching her play softball from elementary school through college, Tom visibly took his pride to an immeasurable level.

Tom was an expert in the kitchen and enjoyed cooking for his family. He was well-known for his baked chicken and mouth-watering London broil. As a great storyteller he had a mastery of his vocal cadence and delivery. It was just so easy to be drawn in and wrapped up into whatever he was describing.

For those who knew Tom - whether as family, fellow sports fans, or from Furrow Lumber, Denny Lumber, or Lowe’s – they’ll forever remember his rumbling cackle laugh that surely signaled one of his witty comments.

His easy-going demeanor and demonstration of patience and composure, through all of life’s challenges, set an example for all to consider.

Tom was preceded in death by: parents, Willard and Nancy Taylor; aunt, Ann (Paul) Herron; brother, David Willard Taylor; father-in-law, Billy Valentine; mother-in-law, Shirley (Earl) Valentine Crain; and nieces, Loretta Stollar and Marsha Pitzen.

Tom is survived by: wife of 38 years, Sandra Taylor; daughter, Jillian Renee (Jake Niederbaumer) Taylor; sisters-in-law, Brenda Taylor (Bob Cavin), Billie (Terry) Houk, Mary (Rick) Hammond, Andrea (Glen) Stollar, and W. Jane Smalley (Mike Shuster); nieces and nephews, Aaron Thomas Taylor, Libby Taylor Nelson, Troy Houk, Kyle Houk, Tom Hammond, Nicole Dalrymple, and Shawn Shuster; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and other loving family members and friends.

Please join the family at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, Ohio 45040 on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.  Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until the Celebration of Life Service at 5:30 PM which will be immediately followed by a toast.

If desired, memorial donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society – Breast Cancer ( donate3.cancer.org )

Mueller Funeral Home is honored to serve the Taylor Family