Obituary for Edward Campbell Taylor
Edward Campbell Taylor (Ed) was born on December 12th, 1961, in Bellingham, Washington. He passed away after suffering a heart attack while enjoying one of his favorite pastimes, riding his motorcycle, at age 60 on October 15th, 2022, on Whidbey Island, WA.
He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1980. He participated in many music department productions and sports, including football; he lettered in wrestling and track. He was also very active in Luther League at Faith Lutheran Church.
After high school, Ed joined the US Air Force graduating with honors from the Aerospace Ground Equipment Mechanic Course. He passed the written test and was headed to the Air Force academy when he was run over by a tug on the tarmac and was unable to pass the physical test, ending his Air Force career.
After Ed left the Air Force, he began his truck driving career. He logged 3 million miles without an accident, working for several different companies. Ed grew tired of always being on the road and decided to follow his passion to own his own business. In 2010, he opened Taylor Driving Schools in Burlington, WA, a school focused on commercial driver training. His school quickly became one of the most successful in the state boasting the highest pass rate for his students. Ed had connections with many businesses and went above and beyond to help his students pass the CDL test and get employment after the course was done. Annually, he hosted a huge job fair and BBQ in the summer helping current and past students make valuable career connections. Ed helped provide a new career path for many people needing second chances.
In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his pets, most recently, his beloved dog, Diesel. He loved his family, calling his mom nearly every day just to chat. He liked to travel when he could, most recently to Cancun, Mexico. He had plans to travel to Phoenix to see the upcoming Seahawks game and was planning a winter Caribbean cruise. He also enjoyed coming to Seattle to watch the Mariners play.
Ed is survived by his parents, Robert Herbert and Carolyn Taylor of Shoreline, WA, sister Michelle Brown and husband Jeff, brother Daniel Taylor and wife Joy, uncles and aunt Larry Gehrke and wife Karen and Michael Gehrke, nephews James Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Spencer Brown and niece Isabel Brown and his best friend Paul Isaacson and his wife Tammy.
A private family service will be held to spread his ashes in a place he loved.
Ed was loved by all who knew him; reading comments from his former students and employees that had learned of his passing warmed his family's hearts. His laugh, smile, heart, and humor will be greatly missed. Ed always said, "Don't be sad when I am gone, be thankful that I was alive."
Ed had a long history of community service. He had a real passion for helping out his community by using his students in training to haul many loads of produce from the farms to the local food banks.
Ed's last ride in a semi will be on Saturday, November 19th. There will be a procession of trucks leaving the truck yard of MP Environmental in Marysville at 11am and will drive to Burlington where Taylor Driving Schools operated. There people can gather to share stories and memories of Ed Taylor.
For more info contact Melissa Pace: pacecdltrainer@gmail.com. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com .
In lieu of flowers the family requests that gifts be donated in Ed's memory to Harvest Against Hunger www.harvestagainsthunger.orgI/donate or by calling 206.236.0408 or by mail Harvest Against Hunger, PO Box 4098 Seattle WA 98194.
He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1980. He participated in many music department productions and sports, including football; he lettered in wrestling and track. He was also very active in Luther League at Faith Lutheran Church.
After high school, Ed joined the US Air Force graduating with honors from the Aerospace Ground Equipment Mechanic Course. He passed the written test and was headed to the Air Force academy when he was run over by a tug on the tarmac and was unable to pass the physical test, ending his Air Force career.
After Ed left the Air Force, he began his truck driving career. He logged 3 million miles without an accident, working for several different companies. Ed grew tired of always being on the road and decided to follow his passion to own his own business. In 2010, he opened Taylor Driving Schools in Burlington, WA, a school focused on commercial driver training. His school quickly became one of the most successful in the state boasting the highest pass rate for his students. Ed had connections with many businesses and went above and beyond to help his students pass the CDL test and get employment after the course was done. Annually, he hosted a huge job fair and BBQ in the summer helping current and past students make valuable career connections. Ed helped provide a new career path for many people needing second chances.
In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his pets, most recently, his beloved dog, Diesel. He loved his family, calling his mom nearly every day just to chat. He liked to travel when he could, most recently to Cancun, Mexico. He had plans to travel to Phoenix to see the upcoming Seahawks game and was planning a winter Caribbean cruise. He also enjoyed coming to Seattle to watch the Mariners play.
Ed is survived by his parents, Robert Herbert and Carolyn Taylor of Shoreline, WA, sister Michelle Brown and husband Jeff, brother Daniel Taylor and wife Joy, uncles and aunt Larry Gehrke and wife Karen and Michael Gehrke, nephews James Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Spencer Brown and niece Isabel Brown and his best friend Paul Isaacson and his wife Tammy.
A private family service will be held to spread his ashes in a place he loved.
Ed was loved by all who knew him; reading comments from his former students and employees that had learned of his passing warmed his family's hearts. His laugh, smile, heart, and humor will be greatly missed. Ed always said, "Don't be sad when I am gone, be thankful that I was alive."
Ed had a long history of community service. He had a real passion for helping out his community by using his students in training to haul many loads of produce from the farms to the local food banks.
Ed's last ride in a semi will be on Saturday, November 19th. There will be a procession of trucks leaving the truck yard of MP Environmental in Marysville at 11am and will drive to Burlington where Taylor Driving Schools operated. There people can gather to share stories and memories of Ed Taylor.
For more info contact Melissa Pace: pacecdltrainer@gmail.com. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com .
In lieu of flowers the family requests that gifts be donated in Ed's memory to Harvest Against Hunger www.harvestagainsthunger.orgI/donate or by calling 206.236.0408 or by mail Harvest Against Hunger, PO Box 4098 Seattle WA 98194.