On behalf of the UCCS campus community, UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak issued the following statement regarding the death of Brian Taylor, 28, of Fort Collins, an honorarium instructor in the UCCS Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
“I offer our most sincere and heart-felt condolences to Brian Taylor’s family members and friends. We are saddened by his loss.”
Taylor died July 27 in Colorado Springs. He was a 2007 UCCS graduate and was a chemistry lab instructor from September 2007 through the May 2012 semester. As a student, he was active in the Science Learning Center.
Taylor graduated from Mesa Ridge High School in 2002.
Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m., Aug. 2 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 325 Putnam Drive, Colorado Springs. A visitation is from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 2 at the church.
Taylor’s obituary, as prepared by family members and published in the Colorado Springs Gazette, follows. Condolences may be left at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=brian-lee-taylor&pid=158875772&fhid=6098
Brian Lee Taylor
Brian Lee Taylor, 28, of Colorado Springs, CO died, Friday, 27 July 2012 in Colorado Springs. He was born on 20 September 1983 in Hampton, Virginia the oldest child of Daryl Lee and Debra Lu (Gillett) Taylor.
Brian is survived by his mom and dad; sister, Staci and brother-in-law, Nick Miller; nieces, Hailee and Camryn Miller; grandmother, Arlene Gillett; several Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins; associates, co-workers and numerous friends; and his dog, Kane. He is predeceased by his grandparents, Patsy Taylor, Lee Taylor, Navarro Taylor and Chuck Gillett.
Brian lived in Hampton, VA; Muhlbach and Landstuhl, Germany; Abilene, TX; and Bitburg, Germany before moving with his family to Colorado Springs in June 1994. This past June, he moved to Fort Collins to be closer to work. He attended King Elementary, Janitell J.H. and graduated from Mesa Ridge H.S. in 2002. He attended BYU-Idaho for 3 semesters, then transferred to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in January 2004, where he graduated (Cum Laude) with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Chemistry in 2007.
As a young man, he worked up on Pikes Peak and Seven Falls. While attending UCCS and up until May 2012 Brian taught Chemistry Labs. After graduation, he worked at Auxsol and Pason Industries as a Chemist. Brian was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Ha-Kin-Skay-A-Ki Lodge 387 in 1997 and became an Eagle Scout in January 1998 at the age of 14. He became a member of Colorado Delta, Alpha Epsilon Delta (the Health Professional Honor Society) in 2005. Brian was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Ever since Brian was little, he had a zest for life, loved thrilling adventures and a good time. He liked going fast – snowboarding, motorcycling, and cars. He worked and played hard. Always inquisitive, with a ready smile, and infectious laugh, he endeared himself to just about everyone he met. He had an easy way about him, and was rarely seen without a baseball hat. He was loyal to his family and friends whom he loved so dearly, and would help them however he could. He influenced many lives and will be greatly missed.
A visitation will be held August 1, 2012 from 7:00pm-9:00pm at Dove-Witt Family Mortuary, 6630 S. Hwy 85/87, Fountain, CO 80817. Funeral Services will be held on August 2, 2012 at 11:00am with a visitation from 9:30am to 10:30am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 325 Putnam Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80911.
My sincerest condolences to Brian’s family. I remember Brian well both during his tenure as student and then as instructor. You will be missed, Brian. God speed.