Michael Norman Taylor

HAMILTON - Michael N. Taylor, 70, of Hamilton passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023 at his home from pancreatic cancer. Born September 9th, 1952, in Harlowton, MT to Eunice and Pat Taylor.  Mike was a fighter and strived to never leave anything unfinished. From the day of his diagnosis Mike’s heart was to do “this” well, from start to finish, and that is just what he did.

Mike was preceded in death by both of his parents; his sister, Pat (Butchie); and his granddaughter, Ruth.

Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nan; their children, Tami Klapwyk (Bill) of Corvallis, Trent (Rhiannon) of Great Falls, and Travis (Margaret) of Potomac; brother, John (Debbie) Taylor of Great Falls; brothers -in-law, Rick (Julie) Geiger of Cut Bank, MT and Burt (Peggy) Geiger of Missoula, MT; step-sisters, Karen, Linda, Laree and Kimmy; step-brother, Jimmy; grandchildren, Milo, Otto, Jason, Nic, Morgan, Temree, and Tavyn; step-grandchildren, Blayne, and Nichole; foster granddaughter, Emi; and great grandchildren; Maci, Joseph, Nia, and Adi.

Mikes younger years were spent in Harlowton, MT, and then traveling through Montana with his family; as his father worked road construction. In the third grade his family moved to Great Falls, where he attended school at Whittier Elementary, Paris Gibson Jr. High and Great Falls High, graduating in 1970.

As a child, Mike enjoyed riding his bike with his friends around the streets of Northside Great Falls and Gibson Park area. He also enjoyed ice skating at Gibson Park in the winter and jumping his bike in the summer while riding to Giant Springs with his friends. Mike enjoyed playing baseball in the summer in Harlowton with his cousins. He wrestled in jr. high and played football for the Great Falls Bison. One of his most memorable moments was when his football team was undefeated and took state his senior year. At 18, Mike started working road construction as a laborer. His job with Birch Construction brought him to Valier, MT, where he met the love of his life, Nan. Nan claims Mike as her High School Sweetheart and they have been married for almost 50 years. On August 26, 1973, Mike and Nan married in the city park at Valier and began their life adventure together.

Mike worked as an Operating Engineer with the local 400 for over 37 years. He started in road construction, and then on Valentine’s Day, 1979 moved to Colstrip and began working at the coal mine. They raised their children in Colstrip and later moved back to the Great Falls area. While living in Great Falls, Mike worked for United Materials, City of Great Falls, and then as a truck driver and warehouse manager for Winfield Solutions.

He retired in 2017. Mike and Nan moved to Hamilton, MT in the spring of 2020 where he resided until his death.

Mike loved fly fishing and camping with his family. Many of is nieces and nephews (along with their spouses) considered Mike their favorite uncle. He loved them all as his own. He was always known as the class clown and family jokester. Mike’s legacy is the love that he had for the Lord and his family. Mike will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He now rests in the arms of Jesus.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, February 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Riverside Christian Center in Hamilton.  Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel.

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