Eulogy by Aunt Penny

What a special family you are! You were blessed with a Special Needs child and you gave him the best life he could have ever wanted. Each one of you helped him overcome his disabilities. You were his arms, his legs and his body. You are his biggest fan, his cheer leader and his strongest support system. You gave him a life every boy would envy.

David and Barb are very dedicated parents, to say the least. When David was diagnosed with Epilepsy 28 years ago, there was never a question that he would be given the best care available. Barb sacrificed her career so she could provide the 24/7 care he required and David worked hours of overtime to pay for extensive medical treatments. A couple years ago, David retired from Reynolds and has continued in the 24 hour care of their son.

Little David was very aware of the sacrifices his family made for him and he was greatly appreciative. You see, for Little David, every day was Father’s Day or Mother’s Day. Little David would pick a bouquet of dandy lions and bring them in to his mother. With a smile on his face he would hand her the bouquet of flowers and say, “Happy Mother’s Day Mom”! His dad too was often greeted when he arrived home from work with “Happy Father’s Day, Dad”. David didn't neglect his brother and sister either he colored them lots of pictures.

If you knew David you know that he was pretty proud of his little sister, Tracy and his little brother, Matt. It seemed every time Tracy had a school performance you would hear David somewhere in the audience saying “That’s my sister or There’s Tracy” or the occasional “Can we go now?” David was also known to answer questions being asked on stage, like “does anyone have a question”? He would answer “Yes, I do.” Matt’s acknowledgement may not have been as public, but if you were close by when David stumbled or fell, David was sure to blame it on Matt! Apparently Matt never picked up his toys.

You couldn't visit too long with David before he would tell you that his Uncle Robbie got a new truck! It was pretty obvious that Uncle Robbie was the favorite! Uncle Robbie even got him a security job at KCI airport as a Booter. David proudly wore his booting vest and patiently waited for Robbie to pick him up!
David enjoyed being an Uncle, even though he was slightly disappointed when Noah was born that he wasn't a rabbit. He enjoyed both Asa and Noah visiting and playing cars with him. And all three of them worked on sharing.

David enjoyed bowling, tether ball, picking dandy lions and playing in a T-ball league. He enjoyed watching hummingbirds, turkey and deer in their backyard. David loved pulling a wagon and picking up sticks in the yard. And Little David loved recliners! When he would visit with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor, he would patiently wait for Papa to go get a cup of coffee and then he would head straight for Papa’s chair! He would say, “that’s so funny that I got your chair!”. David had a love for big trucks! I believe he got that from his Grandpa Probst. When he was riding down the highway, he would see how many trucks he could get to honk at him. He would be pulling the air horn for miles trying to get one of them to honk! David would sit for hours on Thursdays waiting for the trash truck to come by their house and honk. David loved the great outdoors. But most of all he enjoyed going to the farm with his dad. When his dad would take him hunting, they were always lucky! Everyone called David a good luck charm for hunting! Little David loved to hunt and fish. He was a great fisherman! On his dad’s birthday, every year, they would go fishing at the Bethany Reservoir. Little David always bragged about the year he out fished his dad! Then he would inform his dad “Aunt Linda is a better fisherman than you!”.

He was so proud when he caught a fish at Aunt Judy and Uncle Kenny’s pond. His Dad will tell you Little David was a true fisherman. When you talked about fishing, he always had to one up you! One time, Matt caught a 6 pound bass and his Dad caught a 7 pound bass. So being a great fisherman, David explained that he had caught an 8 pound crappie!

High School coach Joe Greim honored David with the title of Excelsior Springs Biggest Wrestling Fan. David watched his little brother Matt wrestle for 12 years and his little sister Tracy for 2 years. David touched the hearts of many in the wrestling community.

David participated in the Special Olympics from 1990-1995. In 1994 he had the honor of lighting the torch at the Special Olympics. He proudly won several medals. His strongest event was the softball throw. They encouraged him to throw by telling him to throw it over Grandma Patten’s fence. You see, every time they visited her she would tell him “Do not throw the ball over the fence!” and you know David, the first thing he would do is throw it over the fence!

David knew no strangers. He admired police officers and fireman.
Everyone that spent any time with David knew if David liked you, he called you a Turkey! Thank you, God for giving us 28 years with David.

David's Poem

God saw you getting tired
when a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped His arms around you,
And whispered, "David, come with me".
You were unable to do the things you enjoy,
And so He gave you rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best.
Sometimes I wish you could still be here,
But you’re in a better place.
One day we’ll meet again,
And I’ll see your smiling face.

Booter

I lost a friend yesterday, Booter Dave. You see Booter Dave always wanted to be a screener at the airport but he was physically challenged. The challeges he faced everyday must have been mountains to climb. I am proud and honored to have had the chance to meet him. He will always be remembered. Thanks Booter!!!!!!!!!!

~Steve 

Metal chairs

Mom, Dad, David and I shuffled into the second to the back row at Matt's 5th grade music concert. We had just settled into our metal folding chairs. I probably would have never remembered that night if it weren't for David.

That "up-to-no-good" smile came over David's face and he began to lean hard to the left. Bbbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

My eye's nearly popped out of my head! David had just farted and there is no doubt in my mind that every person in that crowded gymnasium knew. David happens to be a proud farter and made sure everyone knew where it came from. He laughed so loud and shouted, "I'm just like my Dad!"

We had all hoped that David would quiet down quickly but that was not the case. Dad was very embarrassed and was frantically trying to calm David down. "Shh, shh, shh. Watch your brother sing. Watch your brother sing!" It was no use.

Immediately after the concert ended, we were greeted by some friends of the family. Sure enough they had heard the whole thing and they were sitting in the front row! Even Matt knew what happened and he was singing with the rest of the 5th graders.

David and Matt 2004

Word of advice: Never pass gas while sitting in a metal chair.

David makes so many people laugh. If you have had the pleasure of meeting David, what's your David Story?

Obituary

David Dwane Taylor, 28, Excelsior Springs, Mo., passed away, Friday, October 19, 2012 at the Saint Luke's Hospital. David was born February 23, 1984, in North Kansas City, the son of David Willard and Barbara Jo (Probst) Taylor.

David was very proud of his achievements in the Special Olympics from 1990-1995. He graduated in 2005 from Rainbow Center in Blue Springs, Mo. David had a great love for the outdoors where he could hunt and fish. David was also recognized for being the Excelsior Springs wrestling teams biggest fan. Even though David's life has ended, he gave life to many others by being an organ donor.

David was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Everette Dwane Taylor, and maternal grandfather, Robert Probst.

Survivors include his mother, Barbara Jo Taylor, and father, David Willard Taylor, both of Excelsior Springs; one sister, Tracy Jobson and husband, Jeremy of Gladstone; one brother, Matt Taylor of Excelsior Springs; paternal grandmother, Carol Taylor of Smithville; maternal grandmother, JoAnn Probst of Kansas City; two nephews, Noah and Asa Jobson of Gladstone; and several aunts,uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2012, at the Polley Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Excelsior Springs. Family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Rainbow Center in Blue Springs, Mo.

From Liz and Jack McKimson

We will always remember the smile and the twinkle in Lil David's eyes. We always had so much fun at the family get togethers, especially at Christmas when we would have the White Elephant gift Exchange. He would get so excited. Someone would always make sure his favorite gift was there and that he would end up with the McDonald's gift card. We will always love and miss you. Hope you and your Grandpa catch "the big one" in Heaven. Love Liz and Jack McKimson

Funeral Arrangements

Information on arrangements to come soon. Please check back.