Obituary

Gary Arthur Taylor, age 72, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Gary was born in Washington, D.C. on November 12, 1952. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles "Chuck" Taylor and Lucile "Nikki" Nitsche Taylor.

Gary grew up in Champaign, Illinois. His mother was an accomplished ballet dancer, and his father was a professor of engineering by day and trombone player by night. The artistic talents of his parents inspired within Gary and his brother, Glenn, a lifelong passion for music. Gary played and wrote music throughout high school, was highly active in sports (football, baseball, and basketball), and his family enjoyed summers in Seattle with Nikki’s sister, Arlys Gale, his uncle Jack, and all his cousins.

After graduating from Champaign Centennial High School, Gary attended the University of Washington to study music, until about midway through when he famously and wittingly said, “I learned what I needed to, isn’t that what school is for?”

Gary eventually moved to Nashville in the 80’s to be close to friends, as well as to be near its vibrant music scene. There he wrote and played music, and worked in home improvement. One of his cherished past-times was playing volleyball on the weekends with friends who nicknamed the regular get-together “Veggie Volleyball.” Gary’s closest friends in Nashville, Eric Eggleton and his wife Toni, eventually introduced him to Amy Griffith, whom he later married in 1990. In 1992, his daughter, Lauren Elaine Taylor, was born, followed by his son, Michael Griffith Taylor, in 1994.

Other than being a father to Lauren and Michael, one of the greatest joys in Gary’s life was his music. Gary was a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, with a particular affinity for the guitar. He was a member of several bands throughout the years—most notably the “Rolet Show Band” (Gary and Eric) as well as the “The Starlighters” (Gary, Eric, and close friend Patrick McBride).

Gary Taylor is survived by his children, Lauren Taylor and Michael Taylor, his brother Glenn Taylor and wife Donna Taylor, his aunt Arlys Gale and husband Jack Gale, his cousin John Taylor and wife Anna Taylor, his cousin Susan Rankert and her husband Jeff Rankert, as well as his beloved life partner Amy Taylor.

A traditional Bahá'í burial service at the Larkspur Conservation at Taylor Hollow in Westmoreland, Tennessee, followed by a Celebration of Life in the spring of 2025 for all family and friends.

Gary will fondly be remembered as a creative musician, goofy jokester, and loving friend and father.