ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Jerry Taylor, 80 years old, born on July 5, 1940, and passed away on April 3, 2021. We will remember him forever.
June 25, 2023
June 25, 2023
Jeanne, my condolences,
though it has now been two years since his passing. I was watching a documentary about Nebraska today, and as usual, I thought about my former boss, Jerry Taylor. I appreciate the relationship you shared with each other, his care and concern for family, his down to earth personality and no nonsense attitude in business. I am not surprised about his giving in the community and support to organizations in need. I will forever remember my initial meeting and interview with him; I left feeling mentored, encouraged and strengthened by his words. His demeanor, his smile, his character, and his honesty were refreshing to me - I really wanted to work for him, I'm so glad he chose me out of the many applicants vying for that position. What I learned from Jerry, at Applied Materials, has taken me a long way. I'm Forever grateful and He will be Forever missed.
July 26, 2022
July 26, 2022
Just came across this today. My deepest sympathy and prayers for you Jeanne. Jerry was truly a unique man and I'm will be forever grateful that our paths crossed. The impact that he had on people's lives will be greatly missed yet always remembered! God Bless. 
April 22, 2022
April 22, 2022
Jeanne, I now know it has been a year since Jerry's death. I just want you to know Barbara and I are so sorry for your loss, and have had you in prayer for the past year and will continue to do so. I hope some how this note catches up to you.
Shalom,
John Clinch
April 3, 2022
April 3, 2022
Jerry, I think of all the years we worked together, the fun, the work, and all that I learned from you. You really were one of a kind. I remember when you and Jeanne got together what a great match you both were so lucky to have each other.
July 10, 2021
July 10, 2021
Knowing Jerry will forever change my life. He often referred to me as Kiddo and I was very touched by that. He just had a way of making you feel seen but also loved. Not sure he ever knew what an inspiration he was…. He influenced my business sense but also impacted my outlook on living life as a contribution and blessing people along the way. The moment I heard of his passing, I wept without any ability to control it. He had that kind of influence and I miss him. Much love to Jeannie … until you are together again. Xoxo, DeAnna (and Nate) Sickler
April 18, 2021
April 18, 2021
My Uncle Jerry. As a boy, I idolized him. As a teenager, I envied him. As a young man, I looked up to him. And as an older man, I respected and grew in a desire to emulate him. When Jeannie called with the sad news, it didn’t seem possible. He was larger than life to me. I called on him many times for counsel as my Dad, his brother, struggled with declining health. He always welcomed my calls and was very comforting. He was among a handful of the greatest men I’ve ever known. Uncle Jerry had an unmatched zest for family, friendship, the arts, adventurous travel, and experiencing life and culture all over the world. He loved people in a way that was easy for everyone who knew him to feel his sincerity. He could say it out loud. He had an incredibly encouraging and positive outlook on things. I admired that greatly. His ability to share his stories was unmatched. He was fascinating to be around. I’ll never forget the last time I spoke with him, just a little more than a week before he passed. I called him to tell him we had just gotten a puppy and we got caught up on news. We talked of family, selling his Ashland home, our dogs and a little politics. Toward the end of the phone call, he advised on the importance of spending time bonding with our puppy. It was such a gentle sentiment from him I took to heart. It was a warm and memorable conversation and he told me he loved me and my family. I loved him very much and miss him already. As my Uncle Bill expressed it best, “This is a great, great loss.”
April 13, 2021
April 13, 2021
I worked for Jerry at Applied Materials for 14 years. He was an amazing boss and person. I learned a lot from him both personally and professionally. He became my friend as well as a boss. He always required perfection from himself and those who worked for him. He was serious when necessary and fun during the rest of the time. He was always willing to listen and give advice when asked. I remember when he and Jeannie started dating and then married. What a perfect couple. Over the years since we retired I have thought him and Jeanne often with fond memories. He will be missed terribly. He leaves a void in the hearts of many especially his wife. RIP my friend.
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
I met Jerry when he was serving on the Board of Directors for OSF. He and Jeanne are such sweet caring people! Jerry was always so kind and generous, always had a smile on his face, treated you like an old friend every time he saw you. Jerry will be missed by so many people. He touched a lot of lives. I'm thankful to have met Jerry and Jeanne. Will always keep Jerry in my heart.
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
I met Jerry at our golf club in San Jose when my wife became friends with Jeannie. He was very competitive, and I enjoyed playing with him(especially since we both appreciated a cold refreshment after finishing a round at the 19th hole). We also played together with mutual friends in Florida as well as Ashland. In Ashland Jerry and Jeannie were the ultimate hosts. It was a real treat to participate in one of Jerry's gourmet meals. Jerry was always upbeat and will very much be missed. 
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
This is such a sad time—to think of the world without Jerry.  He has left an indelible mark on the world.  He will be celebrated and long-remembered for many things, and beyond his public accomplishments, those things include his gentle strength and generosity of friendship.   We’re sure that all who knew him have been graced to have been in his orbit. 

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Recent Tributes
June 25, 2023
June 25, 2023
Jeanne, my condolences,
though it has now been two years since his passing. I was watching a documentary about Nebraska today, and as usual, I thought about my former boss, Jerry Taylor. I appreciate the relationship you shared with each other, his care and concern for family, his down to earth personality and no nonsense attitude in business. I am not surprised about his giving in the community and support to organizations in need. I will forever remember my initial meeting and interview with him; I left feeling mentored, encouraged and strengthened by his words. His demeanor, his smile, his character, and his honesty were refreshing to me - I really wanted to work for him, I'm so glad he chose me out of the many applicants vying for that position. What I learned from Jerry, at Applied Materials, has taken me a long way. I'm Forever grateful and He will be Forever missed.
July 26, 2022
July 26, 2022
Just came across this today. My deepest sympathy and prayers for you Jeanne. Jerry was truly a unique man and I'm will be forever grateful that our paths crossed. The impact that he had on people's lives will be greatly missed yet always remembered! God Bless. 
April 22, 2022
April 22, 2022
Jeanne, I now know it has been a year since Jerry's death. I just want you to know Barbara and I are so sorry for your loss, and have had you in prayer for the past year and will continue to do so. I hope some how this note catches up to you.
Shalom,
John Clinch
His Life

Former OSF president Jerry Taylor dies – Ashland Tidings

April 10, 2021
By Jim Flint | Apr 09, 2021 08:38 PM

By the time Jerry Taylor retired in January of 2000, he had already worked for Honeywell in
various financial positions in the United States and Europe, held several domestic and international controller positions with Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation, worked his way up to a chief financial executive position for global energy company Schlumberger, and, as senior vice president and CFO, helped build Applied Materials, Inc., into a multibillion-dollar company in the semiconductor industry.

But he was just getting started.

Gerald (Jerry) Francis Taylor, a former president of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a member of several regional boards of directors, died from acute cardiac arrest April 3 at his home in Ashland. He was 80.

“Jerry was one of the first board presidents when I was a new artistic director at OSF,” said Bill Rauch. “Along with his wife, Jeannie, he was one of our longest-term and most consistent donors, often sponsoring comedies, as Jerry loved to laugh.

“I was personally enriched, and the festival gained so much from Jerry Taylor’s insights and generosity,” Rauch said.

In retirement, Taylor and Jeannie supported many charitable causes and organizations through the Taylor Family Foundation. He also supported or was affiliated with the Rotary Club of Ashland, OSF, La Clinica Health Center in Medford, CASA, Community Works, Children’s Advocacy Center, Elks Club, First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, and Sigma Upsilon Ne fraternity.

The Taylors were recipients of many awards for their community good works, including the Visionaries Award in 2009 from the American Association of University Women, the 2011 Southern Oregon University Presidential Medal of Distinction for service to the Rogue Valley, and the 2013 Len Herbert Humanitarian of the Year award from St. Vincent de Paul.

Taylor also served on the boards of directors for Electro Scientific Industries in Portland, Lithia Motors in Ashland (2000-2007), OSF, La Clinica, and the Ashland Family YMCA (2009-2010).

Taylor was born in North Platte, Nebraska, to Richard Thomas Taylor and Icel West Clark. A small railroad town at the confluence of the North and South Platte rivers, it was the county seat of Lincoln County.

When Taylor was a child, during World War II, the city was famous for the North Platte Canteen. He and his brothers, Robert and William, witnessed tens of thousands of volunteers from the town and surrounding area meet troop trains passing through, offering coffee, sandwiches and hospitality to nearly seven million servicemen.

Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1964 from the University of Nebraska and, in 1970, an MBA from the University of Southern California. He was a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

His life and travels took him all over the world. Besides North Platte, he lived in Minneapolis, Brussels, Denver, Houston, and Torrance, Saratoga and San Jose, California.

He loved to travel. He loved food. And he enjoyed combining the two. His favorite dining experiences became his favorite stories, in which he spared no detail of where the ingredients were sourced and how they were prepared.

He also enjoyed trying new recipes and it gave him great pleasure to cook for family and friends.

“One of his all-time favorites to cook — and we would ask for it all the time — was his fried chicken,” said daughter Dyna Mendoza of San Francisco.

“It was so delicious. I have a copy of the recipe in my collection that he gave me and it is super special to me because it has all his handwritten notes on the page with his tweaks and revisions,” she said.

Tom and Karen O’Rourke of Ashland are among the friends for whom Taylor has often cooked. Karen and Jeannie were the best of friends in Silicon Valley in the 1980s. They moved to Ashland in early 1991 and were instrumental in influencing the Taylors to move here.

Tom O’Rourke remembers how the Taylors got a taste of life in Ashland.

“Because our mutual best friends were also here, Jeannie would come up regularly to spend a few days doing their friendship walks,” O’Rourke said.

“Soon, Jerry started joining us regularly. We shared dinners then at least once a month. Jerry was best friends with the world. He was a social jewel. Jerry’s norm was not publicity, it was helping those in real need,” he said.

Besides his community service, Taylor also enjoyed golf, tennis, badminton, skiing and was a movie buff.

Something not everybody knew about Taylor was that he was an avid singer. His associates at Applied Materials remember his singing karaoke at company functions. He sang in the shower, he sang on the way to work, and he sang while cooking.

And, because all parents embarrass their children now and then, Taylor fulfilled that responsibility with his singing when his daughter Dyna was in the car one day.

With the Pointer Sisters cranked up on the car radio singing “Jump,” Taylor sang along happily. When his teenage daughter tried to shrink down in the front seat out of embarrassment, he just laughed, turned up the volume, rolled down the windows, and sang even louder.

Taylor was married to Nancy Witzigreuter from 1965 to 1987, and married Jeannie in 1987.

He is survived by his wife Jeannie; children Lauri Whitted, Kira Taylor, Dyna (and husband Joseph) Mendoza; 10 grandchildren; and a brother, William Taylor.

He was predeceased by a son, Chris; his parents; and a brother, Robert Taylor.

The Taylor family expresses its appreciation and thanks to Ashland Fire & Rescue, District No. 5 Fire and Rescue, and Corporal Thomas Hohl of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For those who would like to honor Taylor, the family suggests a donation to: CURE MECP2 - Donate, which is working to find a cure for a rare genetic disorder that afflicts his grandson, or a favorite charity.

Recent stories

Retired Silicon Valley executive, Ashland philanthropist, Jerry Taylor, passes away

April 6, 2021
ASHLAND, Ore. — The Rogue Valley lost a community leader and philanthropist this week as Ashland man, Jerry Taylor recently passed away.

Taylor is the former Senior Vice President and CFO of Applied Materials.

After retirement, Jerry and his wife Jeanne, moved from Silicon Valley to Ashland.

In addition to founding the “Taylor Family Foundation,” they began supporting local community organizations like La Clinica, Community Works, Children’s Advocacy Center and OSF, both in leadership positions, and financially.

The couples work in the community, and for SOU, earned the couple the university’s 2011 “President’s Medal.”

“Jerry has done so much for the Rogue Valley and so many charities have benefited from his generosity,” Lithia Motors Founder and Chairman, Sid Deboer, said. “Jerry was a Lithia board member and we formed a deep friendship,” he added.

KOBI-TV NBC5 wants to extend our deepest condolences to Jeanne and her family.

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