Michael (Mike) Dean Taylor Sr. passed away Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, from the effects of a massive stroke, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

He was born on Aug. 16, 1959, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., to Joanne and Joe Taylor. The family moved around, from Dallas, Salinas, Calif., Eugene, Ore., Spokane and Medical Lake, Wash., before finally setting in Lapwai in 1975.

He never married, but through the years he had two women who were very special in his life. In 1976, he met Mary Lawrence and together they had two children. Later they separated, but he always had a close relationship with her up until his death. In the late 1980s, he met Gina Rickman. Their relationship was off and on throughout the years, but he loved her and her children, James and Chantel Greene.

He attended Lapwai High School, but with the birth of his daughter he dropped out to seek employment. He earned his G.E.D. and pursued a career as a heavy equipment operator. He followed the road with many construction crews. He worked very hard to support his children and family.

He loved hunting, fishing, sweating, golfing, gardening, working on cars, helping his mother with her Avon, but most of all he loved to barbecue for all his family and friends. He lived with his mother in the family home, where he helped her take care of the house and their animals, Gus, Bud, the turtle No Name (no name is seriously his name), and the tarantula April.

He is survived by his mother, Joanne Taylor, and his father, Gale (Joe) Taylor, both of Lapwai; brother James (Jim) Taylor of Plummer, Idaho; sister Elaina McNurlin of Springfield, Ore.; a daughter, Verna (Bunny) Taylor and granddaughter Asia Isbell (his cream puff), both of Lapwai; nieces Teeiah Arthur of Lapwai, Yolanda Taylor of Moscow and Hilary McNurlin of Springfield, Ore.; and three great-nephews, Anton Arthur (his grandson) of Lapwai, and Tyler and Taylor McNurlin, both of Springfield.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Dean Taylor Jr.; grandparents from both sides of the family; and uncle Robert (Bob) Seyler.

Memorial services will be at 6 p.m. Sunday and funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday. Both will be conducted at the Pi Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai. Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home in Lewiston is handling the arrangements. The family will then have him cremated and spread his ashes where he loved to fish. A barbecue will follow the funeral services at Spalding Park.