Steven William Taylor

It’s with a heavy heart we announce that Steven William Taylor of Overland Park passed away on December 5th, 2022 at the age of 68. Steve was preceded in death by his father Oral Taylor and is survived by the love of his life, Janet, and his five kids: Brandy, Zach, Stephanie, Cailey & Jake, all of whom he loved dearly. He’s also survived by his mother Marlene, siblings Curtis and Tina, and his beloved dog Troy.

Born in Winfield, Kansas, Steve grew up in the nearby town of El Dorado with his brother Curtis and sister Tina. There he attended El Dorado High School where he discovered his love for sports, playing basketball, baseball, and football, for which he made the All-American team. His love for competing scored him a football scholarship at Butler Community College and then led him to Emporia State University, where Steve discovered his second passion, teaching. Here he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education, which enabled him to teach in the Piper and Shawnee Mission School Districts. Through his tenure as a teacher, Steve also took on the role of coach and mentor, leading his team at Shawnee Mission Northwest to the state football championship in 1981.

The next chapter in Steve’s life saw him take on many new roles – a salesman and father. After teaching, Steve went on to have a successful sales career, working in several industries including utilities - turning many colleagues into friends (and adoptive family) along the way. However, it was during this chapter that Steve took on his most important role to date, a father. Here he took great joy in coaching, mentoring, jesting, embarrassing (and sometimes annoying) his three daughters and two sons. Steve always cherished the time he had with his friends and family, taking in the small things and relishing every moment.

He instilled many values in five children but the most important one passed down was to have a servant’s heart, something that Steve lived and breathed in his day-to-day life. His larger-than-life personality and passion for servitude led him to give back to his community in various ways, whether it was feeding and clothing the homeless every Sunday or helping out a stranger in need – no task was too little or too big. Steve was also an avid traveler and loved being in nature, discovering new places, and seeing the world, all of which he did with his kids and beloved wife.

Steve was many things to many people, including a father, husband, brother, friend, uncle, coach, teacher, and mentor. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew and loved him.

For those wishing to pay their respects or share condolences to the family, A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:30 pm on December 10th, 2022 at LifeChurch at 9800 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS 66221. In honor of Steve’s servant’s heart and in lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations of adult coats, blankets and socks.