Gary Thomas Taylor

Gary Thomas Taylor completed his life’s flight plan and arrived at his final destination Sunday June 8, 2025.  

He was preceded in death by his parents Norman Taylor and Margaret Rosti Taylor, infant son Spencer, and mother-in-law Marilyn Solterbeck Harris. 

Gary is survived by his wife Elaine Harris Taylor, daughters Destiny Huebschmann (John) and Haliegh Taylor, brother Mike Taylor (Jeri) and sister Carolyn Wikegard (Herje). 

Gary was born November 27, 1957, in Ontario, Oregon. He was a talented saxophone player in stage band at Ontario High School (class of 1976) and was offered a music scholarship to the College of Idaho. Gary met Elaine Harris in high school. After a six-year courtship, they were married in 1982. They were married for 42 wonderful years. They built a home on the farm Elaine grew up on and were active members of community and church. Their son Spencer was born in 1999 and passed away at 3 months. Gary and Elaine adopted Destiny and Haliegh in May, 2001 (ages nearly 4 and 2). 

And of course, Gary was a pilot. His dad influenced an early interest in airplanes, starting with building and flying models, and then together restoring a Cessna 180. Gary completed his training and received his pilot license on his 17th birthday.  

Gary worked in the family business, Star Sheet Metal, providing heating and air conditioning services to many families and businesses in the Ontario area. Gary began flying professionally for Baker Air in 1987 which led to a career flying a series of corporate turboprop and jet aircraft. 

He built a Pitts S1 aerobatics biplane as did Vern Olson, and together with Gary’s dad Norm, performed at airshows as the West Jesters. Gary was an active member of the Ontario Airport Committee. He truly loved piloting flights for BSU athletics and bonding with the team. 

Gary was very active. He was a valuable teammate on a softball team, enjoyed bird-hunting, and liked playing tennis and golf. He was technically adept in the shop, home, hangar and cockpit—with skills in mechanics, plumbing, electronics and electrical systems. It seemed he could fix anything. And he always had a dozen projects in the works. He enjoyed water sports and cut a nice wake on a slalom ski, and was particularly adept at driving the boat, giving tube-riders memorable rides which often ended with them becoming airborne. 

He always had a story to tell and enjoyed good-natured kidding. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, dad, neighbor, friend—readily helping out with family, church and community endeavors. He was a faithful member of Ontario Community Church and lent his expertise with their church sound systems. As a devout man of God, Gary had a deep love for Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. 

Viewing: Fri. June 13, 5 PM – 7 PM, Lienkaemper Funeral Chapel, 78 NW 1st Ave, Ontario OR 97914 Family Graveside: Sat. June 14, 9 AM – Evergreen Cemetery, 1155 S Park Blvd, Ontario OR 97914 Celebration of Life: Sat. June 14, 10 AM - First Church of the Nazarene, 1131 Alameda Dr, Ontario OR 97914 All are invited to stay for a catered meal after the service at the Church to continue the celebration. 

To help young pilots pursue their flight plans, in lieu of flowers, you may make a memorial gift to the Gary Taylor Memorial Aviation Scholarship to support an aviation student at Treasure Valley Community College in care of the TVCC Foundation, 650 College Blvd., Ontario OR 97914. 

Go to the link https://www.tvcc.cc/foundation/giving_foundation.cfm.

At the time of check out type into the note box For Gary Taylor Memorial Scholarships.