Gary Leon Taylor

Gary Leon Taylor, of Green Forest, received his wings on September 26, 2026, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born July 21, 1948, in Eureka, California, to Leon and Margarette Haley Taylor. On July 7, 1979, he married the love of his life, Patricia Leonard, and together they built a life filled with love, faith, family, adventure.

Gary graduated from Eureka High School in 1966. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Humboldt State University and his master’s degree from San Francisco University. Gary devoted his career to education, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of students during his years at McKinleyville High School and Kelseyville High School. For more than 25 years, he also served as the wrestling coach at Kelseyville High School, where his influence reached far beyond the wrestling mat.

Gary believed in giving back to his community and generously gave his time and talents to numerous organizations. He served on the Board of Trustees at Mendocino College and was involved with the Kelseyville Lions Club, Sheriff’s Activity League, and the Kelseyville Kazoo Band. He could also be found behind the camera videotaping football games for Coach Stan Weiper. Gary and Pat especially enjoyed working alongside the Lions Club, cooking pancakes and serving breakfast at school fundraisers.

Gary knew how to enjoy life. He loved outdoor adventures, especially “glamping” at lakes and traveling along the Oregon coast. Some of his favorite memories were made crabbing along the coast and purchasing fresh tuna, which he canned with family and friends right there on the bay. He was a man of many interests and talents and enjoyed making ink pens, creating acrylic and oil paintings, barbecuing for his family, working on cars, tackling woodworking projects, gathering with family, and going out to eat with friends and loved ones.

Christmas held a special place in Gary’s heart. He especially enjoyed the Christmas village that he and Pat displayed around their tree each year. And when it came to football, there was never much question where Gary’s loyalty stood—he was a die-hard San Francisco 49ers fan.

Gary was also a proud veteran of the United States Army. He served as a Sergeant with the 1 Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War. During his military service, he earned six medals and decorations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, and Bronze Star Medal. His commitment to his fellow veterans continued long after his military service ended. Gary remained active in the American Legion in both Kelseyville, California, and Green Forest, Arkansas, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Above all, Gary leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, service, and hard work. Though quiet and soft-spoken by nature, he taught his family lessons that will remain with them for generations. He taught them practical skills—how to cook, make home improvements and repairs, work with their hands, and solve problems—but he also taught them something equally important: how to enjoy life and make memories together.

Most importantly, Gary taught his family to believe in God, to place their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and to faithfully follow Him. His faith was not simply something he spoke about; it was part of the legacy he worked to leave with those he loved. He was a faithful member of Green Forest Cowboy Church.

Gary lived a life of service—to his country, his students, his community, his fellow veterans, and most of all, his family. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, and the many others whose lives he touched along the way.

He is preceded in death by his parents Leon and Margarette Taylor; grandson AJ Buckner; brother Terry Taylor; sister Dolly (Jack) Burgess; grandparents Alma Taylor, and Ambrose and Cora Wise Haley; brother in law Davis Cottle; mother in law Faye Carroll; father in law Hap Leonard; aunts and uncles Barbara and Charlie Pickering, Paul and Edith Laufer, and Marvyn and Marly White; and cousin Lori Pickering.