Lenard Taylor 7/23/1930 - 2/05/2026

Lenard Elgwyn Taylor of Colfax, CA, passed away at the age of 95 on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Lenard was born in Arcata, CA, on July 23, 1930, and grew up during the Great Depression, an experience that shaped his lifelong dedication to hard work, education, and community service. As a young man, he worked on oil derricks for many years. He married Dorothy Hoffman and they had two sons, Charles and Robert. Lenard married Marilyn Taylor (nee Pearson) in 1963 and remained a loving and devoted husband to her for the next 48 years. He returned to school to earn his master's degree, which he put to use by teaching mathematics at both Colfax High School and Sierra College. Nothing pleased Lenard so much as being presented a problem, whether mathematical or mechanical, and being asked to help solve it. He was a long-time parishioner of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, where he worshiped whenever he could and lent his mechanical hand to helping keep the lights on. He was also a ham radio enthusiast and spent many evenings chatting with other hams across the Western Seaboard. His nightly check-ins served as a beacon for regulars that Len was there for them, always ready with a weather report, a story, and a kind word. An avid fisher and traveler, he spent his retirement driving across the country with Marilyn to catch trout, visit his sons and their families, and pluck at his banjo in the camper. In addition to his road trips across the US, Lenard also traveled the world both with Marilyn and after her passing, visiting the Holy Land, Alaska, Europe, and Japan. Lenard found love again with Karen Brown and the two were married in 2020. Lenard's laughter was a rare and wonderful thing and when it burst forth, it lit up the room. Those who loved him will miss that sound sorely. Lenard is survived by his son Robert "Doug" Taylor, daughter-in-law Marjorie Taylor, step-daughter Lahni Brannon, grandchildren Laurel Ann and Ian Taylor, three great-grandchildren, sister Gail Hansen, and several nieces and nephews, and he was preceded in death by his sister Evelyn, wife Marilyn Taylor, son Charles "Chuck" Taylor, and Karen Taylor. Immediate friends and family are invited to a funeral service and celebration of life on February 24, 11AM at Colfax Cemetery, to be followed by service at 1 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 275 Nation Dr., Auburn, CA. (530-885-5378). Please visit dignitymemorial.com to sign Lenard's guestbook and express condolences.