George Delbert “Del” Taylor, also known as Papa and Big Guy, joined his beloved “Buzz” on April 10, 2017, at the age of 84.

Del was born on August 1, 1932, in Eureka to George W. and Viola Taylor and was raised in Humboldt County. He graduated from Arcata Union High School in 1950 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was deployed to Korea during the Korean War Conflict. While home on leave, he married the love of his life, his wife for 60 wonderful years, Bernice “Buzz” Helm, on December 21, 1952, in Arcata.

Del and Buzz resided in Waco, Texas until after he was discharged and returned to Arcata in 1954. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Danny, Georgette and Dale. Del worked for Bank of America and was then hired by Fairhurst Lumber Co. in Fortuna as a bookkeeper. While employed with Fairhurst Lumber, Del traveled to Iran as part of a group of lumbermen to assist the Iranian people in exporting their lumber. He worked as a General Manager for Brizard Construction Company, Mid County Truck Center, and Reliable Hardware, and finished his working career as the Manager of Greenwood Cemetery.

Del was a true sportsman all his life. He coached Little League and Babe Ruth, was a referee for high school and college football and basketball, and also umpired for baseball. Del was a huge athletic booster for the HSU Lumberjacks. He supported Coach Frank Cheek’s wrestling program, as well as the Girls Softball Team. Del served on the Arcata Parks & Recreation District fundraising committee and was instrumental in the Arcata Community Pool becoming a reality instead of just dream.

In the early 1970s, Del and Buzz built their beloved Trinity Lake house. It was a family project and everyone had a job to do. Grandpa Taylor and Buzz’s brother, Jimmy Helm, helped on the house too, as well as many of Del’s co-workers, Franny Aggeler, Carl Nelson, and Don Melling. It was then that Del bought their first ski boat and the whole family took up water skiing. Del and Buzz loved Trinity Center and developed many lasting friendships with the local residents. Del was a member of the Arcata First Baptist Church, the Bayside Presbyterian Church, and has been a member of the Wesleyan Church of the Redwoods in McKinleyville for the past 8 years.

In addition to sports, Del loved gardening and working in his yard, making firewood, playing cards and chicken foot, attending wine tastings with his lifelong best friend, Tony Borges, and playing with his grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling and never met a stranger.

Del is survived by his children and their spouses, Danny Taylor of Arcata, Georgette (Steven) Trump of Arcata, and Dale (Judy) Taylor of Eureka. He is survived by 8 grandchildren, Serena (Rene) Ontiveros, Todd (Anamarie Frazier) Taylor, Lawrence (Melonie) Trump, Alicen (fiancée Eddie Adams) Trump, Vanessa Taylor, and Holly (Alex) Bateman, as well as 6 great-grandchildren, Michaelyn, Gabriel, Nevaeh, Shaina, Ruby and Brylee. He is survived by his brother, John Taylor of Reseda, his sister, Deborah Jimenez of Eureka, and his sister-in-law, Kay Taylor, of Bellingham, WA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Del was preceded in death by his wife Bernice “Buzz” Taylor, parents George and Viola Taylor, his sister LaVerne Costa, and brother Gary Taylor.

Services will be held at the Arcata Veterans Memorial Building, 1425 J Street, Arcata, on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Chuck Clark officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jimmy Taylor, Tony Borges, Frank Cheek, and Rene Ontiveros. Pallbearers will be Danny Taylor, Dale Taylor, Todd Taylor, Steven Trump, Lawrence Trump, III, Eddie Adams and Alex Bateman. A reception will follow at the Arcata Veterans Memorial Hall. There will be a private military internment with the Mad River Honor Guard, for family only, immediately following the service at Greenwood Cemetery.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the many loving caregivers that made it possible for Del to stay home; his sister Deborah, Correia, Mariah, Ricki, Sarah, Debbie, Lizzie and Stella. Their heartfelt thanks to the loving staff at the VA Home Based Care Program, Mad River Home Health, Mad River Adult Day Care, Hospice of Humboldt and the many wonderful caregivers from Frye’s Care Home, Memory Care Unit, especially Jeanette, GG, Kathryn, Alma, Crystal, Leslie, Alex, and the many who’s names they don’t remember. Thank you to Lawrence Senffner, MD, for his compassionate care of Del. May the Lord bless you all for blessing Del.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made in Del’s name to the Wesleyan Church of the Redwoods, Mad River Community Veteran’s Honor Guard, or the American Legion. To leave messages and condolences for the family, please visit www.paulschapel.com. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click Obits.

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The obituary above was submitted by Del Taylor’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.