Michael Taylor

Michael Lorin Taylor, 70, of Orem passed away on Friday, September 22nd due to a car accident.
Mike was born in Stockton, California on October 30, 1946 to William Lorin and Virginia Davis Taylor. Mike graduated from Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, class of 1965. He served an LDS mission in the Northern Indian Mission from 1966-68. While on his mission, he was in a tragic accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury. Through great faith and determination, Mike relearned to walk, talk, and play the piano again. Despite Mike's physical limitations, he went on to graduate from Weber State University with a degree in Physical Education. He was a well-known and well-liked substitute teacher throughout the valley.
From a very early age, Mike had a love of running. While running for Rancho High School, he broke the Nevada State record in the mile. After his accident, Mike worked tirelessly to regain that ability and was eventually invited to train with the BYU Cross Country team. He counted it a great blessing in his life that he was able to run again and shared his love of running with those around him. Because of his inspirational story, he was nominated to be an Olympic Torch Bearer for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Mike treasured that experience and was grateful for the opportunity.
Later in life, Mike replaced his love of running with a love of fishing. Mike spent many hours on the Provo River, enjoying the solitude and beauty of the canyon. Not only did Mike see the beauty of the world around him, but he had a unique ability to see the beauty in others as well. He was always looking for ways to uplift and encourage those he came in contact with. In recent years, through social media, he had a large following all over the world that looked forward to his daily uplifting posts full of beauty, short messages, and inspirational music.
Mike truly was a man without guile. He had a Christ-like way of always seeing the good in others. He spent so much of his time serving the downtrodden and lonely. He loved his family unconditionally and enjoyed spending time with them. Mike spent many years taking care of his mother and considered this a great privilege and blessing. He had a deep and abiding faith in his Savior and never shied away from sharing his testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his siblings, Susan (Steve) Sorenson of Orem, Jack (Thalia) of Provo, Charles of Lake Forest, California, Larry (Diann) Davis of Hooper, Utah, half-brother Dr. Bill (Kim) Taylor of Eagle, Idaho, step brothers and sisters Dr. Phil (Joyce) Roberts, Salt Lake City, Utah, Cheryl (John) Kaupalolo, and Michele (Armelio) Cabatingan of Maui, Hawaii, Wyman (Lorene) Roberts of Dallas, Texas, step-mother Barbara Taylor of Provo, Utah, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 28th, 2017 at 11:00a.m. in the Orem 1st Ward building, 80 South, 280 East, Orem, Utah. A viewing will be held on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork and Thursday from 9:45-10:45 a.m at the Orem 1st Ward. Burial in the American Fork City Cemetery. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com.