Murray L Taylor

On Wednesday, September 14 ^th , Murray Lee Taylor, age 67, passed away peacefully at home on the family farm east of Oilmont after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  Murray will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather deeply devoted to his family.  While we celebrate his heavenly home-going, we will deeply miss his presence in our lives.

Murray was born to parents John Murray Taylor and Shirley Jean Blakesley in Bothell, WA, on September 13 ^th , 1949.  Murray remembered fondly his experiences growing up on a farm north of Chester, Montana, and loved to tell stories of his childhood near the Sweet Grass Hills.  Murray had a very special place in his heart for stepparents Harris Christian Jeppesen and Cecelia Mae White, who helped to raise Murray and his siblings.  Murray also felt a deep sense of gratitude toward his Uncle Arnold, who was a mentor throughout Murray’s childhood years and a dear friend later in life.

Murray attended Chester High School, and in 1968, was married to high school sweetheart Karen Kay Wiegand, with whom he would have celebrated 48 years of marriage this November.  Shortly after the wedding, the couple moved to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where Murray was stationed at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base.  Murray had a talent for telling stories about “the old days,” and loved to reminisce about his time with Karen in “North Cackalacky” and “cockroach village,” as he affectionately termed their first apartment.

Following Murray’s time in the service, he and Karen made their way back to the family farm, where they spent many happy years and worked diligently to raise their 5 children.  Together, Murray and Karen built an enduring legacy of faith, family, and farming.  Murray had a special connection to each of his 13 grandchildren, his “little turks,” who seemed to gravitate to his warm sense of humor, twinkling blue eyes, and infectious smile.

Murray was preceded in death by parents, John and Shirley Taylor and stepparents, Harris and Cecelia Jeppesen. He is survived by wife, Karen; children, Melissa Ostberg and her son, Owen of Oilmont; Chad (Melody) Taylor and their children, Jacinda, Austin, and Emma of Galata; Jason (Cherie) Taylor and children, Ashlyn, Portia, and Jocelyn of Cut Bank; Linda (Isaac) Cyr and children, McKaleigh and Colton of Baker City, OR; James (Chelsea) Taylor and children, Vince, Jillian, Levi, and Vivian of Sunburst.  Murray is also survived by his 11 siblings and their families.

Services will be held at the Cut Bank Assembly of God Church on Saturday, September 17 ^th , at 1 pm.  Burial will take place at the family farm at a later date.