Ernest A. Taylor

Ernest Alvin Taylor was born September 16th, 1943 to Delilah Oyler and Vaughn Taylor in the small town of Loa, Utah. 

He passed away the morning of February 28th, 2026 peacefully in his sleep. He spent his early years in Loa and will now make his final trek home to be buried in Loa next to his family. 

Ernie learned from an early age to work hard and that trait never left him, from joining the Ski Patrol at the McGee Creek Lodge as a sophomore in high school to starting his own business installing marble in Salt Lake City. Later, Ernie moved to Huntington, Utah where he worked for 25 years at Utah Power and Light as a maintenance mechanic. He never turned down a job, even well into retirement. 

Ernie graduated high school from West High in Salt Lake and soon was drafted into the military. Before he committed to serving his country, he first wanted to serve his Heavenly Father by serving a mission. He was called to the New Zealand, South Mission and loved his time serving among the people there. 

After returning from his mission, he sought to be a pilot in the Air-force. He went to Lackland Air-force base in San Antonio, Texas where he learned that due to his hearing, he wouldn’t qualify to be a pilot. Not being a quitter, he decided to join the Army, where he worked for Liton Missiles, later transferring to the National Guard. 

In January of 1967, Ernie stopped to help a car of girls get their car unstuck after a church activity. After coming to their rescue, he told the driver, JoAnn Ivena Brown, she owed him a date. Five months later, they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple in May of 1967. They loved each other deeply and each spent many moments and years serving each other through cancer journeys and other health issues. They had five children and Ernie took pride in being wherever his kids were. He was a family man and led his family in many ways. 

He was an avid outdoorsman, who found joy in hunting, fishing, and boating. He especially loved when he could do these activities with his family. Ernie had a lifelong love for horses, and you could often find him in a saddle. Whether it was working leather or reloading ammunition, he was skilled with his hands and loved investing his time into the things he loved. 

He was fiercely independent and determined. Even after his health had declined greatly, he refused to accept help and pushed his limits to still be able to enjoy the things he loved. 

He was a spiritual giant and loved spending many hours in the Temple with his sweetheart. His family takes great peace in knowing how happy he was to meet his Heavenly Father and many friends he has on the other side. 

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his siblings, Gelina Mallory, Merrill Vaughn Taylor, and his grandsons, Kyle and Paul Taylor. 

He is survived by his sweetheart, JoAnn, his children Dustin (Jill)Taylor, Travis (Sharon) Taylor, Zanette (Tim) Taney, Kindra (Phillip) George, Nikole (Brian) LeFors. Twenty-six grandchildren and fifty three great-grand children, His older sister Anna Curtis, and his best friend, Ross Western.

There will be a viewing on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Hyrum 5th Ward (124 N. 400 W. Hyrum). Ernie's funeral will be on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Hyrum 5th Ward Chapel. A viewing will be held prior at 9:00 AM.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.