Danny Lee Taylor

Danny Lee Taylor

Danny Lee Taylor passed away December 1, 2025, at his home in McKinleyville, California, at the age of 75. Danny was born on December 10, 1949, at the old Trinity Hospital in Arcata, California, to George Delbert Taylor and Bernice Alice (Helm) Taylor. Danny grew up in Arcata and graduated from Arcata High School in 1968.  After high school, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army in January of 1969, during the Vietnam War. He enlisted on the Buddy System with his buddy, Dan Good.  Danny was discharged in January of 1971 and returned home to Arcata.

During high school, Danny started working for our Grandpa, George “Dub” Taylor, at Elgar’s Service Station in Blue Lake. That job enabled him to buy his first car, a teal green 1956 Chevy.  After his discharge from the Army, Danny worked at Maxon’s Music, and eventually opened his own music store, Tallman’s Pianos and Organs in Eureka. Danny was musically gifted and enjoyed playing the trumpet, French horn, trombone, guitar, piano, and organ. Danny also had a beautiful voice, and our mother instilled a love for singing in all of us. We sang everywhere we went, and Danny sang in every church choir throughout his life. 

Danny returned to College of the Redwoods and obtained his EMT II certificate.  In 1972, while attending CR, he met his lifelong friend, Doug Bittle, who invited him to church.  Danny’s lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ began at Full Gospel Tabernacle, now Eureka the Pentecostal Church, in 1972. It was at church that Danny met Terry Lee Schmedding, the love of his life. They were happily married on July 22, 1974, and soon purchased their first home on Huntoon Street in Eureka, where they resided until 1986.

In 1986, Danny and Terry moved to Phoenix, where Danny completed his LVN. Sadly, after residing in Phoenix for 7 years, Terry passed away from Lou Gerig’s disease.  Danny worked for Maricopa County Hospital and was instrumental in organizing the incarceration unit that provided medical care to inmates from 5 prisons in the Phoenix area.  Danny supervised all incarceration units, including orthopedic, maternity, dental, and cardiac, until he retired in 2010. Danny moved back to Arcata in 2016.

Danny was a dedicated, steadfast, courageous and loving son, brother, uncle and husband. He was an anointed Sunday School teacher, supported foreign missions and loved working for the Lord.

Danny was preceded in death by his wife, Terry Taylor, and his parents, George “Del” Taylor and Bernice Taylor. Danny is survived by his sister, Georgette (Steven) Trump, his brother, Dale (Judy) Taylor, his aunt Deborah Jimenez, nieces Serena (Rene) Ontiveros, Alicen (Eddie) Adams, Vanessa (Shayne Downs) Taylor, Holly (Alex) Bateman, nephews Todd (Anamarie) Taylor, Lawrence (Melonie) Trump III, and great nieces and nephews Michaelyn, Gabriel, Nevaeh, Shaina, Ruby, Brylee, Barrett, Lawson, Harmony, and Chase, and numerous cousins.

A funeral service will be held at Eureka the Pentecostal Church, 1060 Hoover Street, Eureka, on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 1:30 pm. A reception will follow the graveside burial at the church. The Mad River Honor Guard will assist in the graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata at 3:00 pm on January 16, 2026.

Danny’s family would like to offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to his five amazing caregivers, Paula, Elizabeth, Demetria, Melissa and Paulette.  Without all of you, we could never have kept him at home, which was his wish.  Our thanks and appreciation also goes to Vynca Telehealth, Compasses Home Healthcare and Hospice of Humboldt.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Danny’s name may be made to the Junior Youth Camp Fund at Eureka the Pentecostal Church, or to the charity of your choice.

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