The Excelsior Standard, April 12, 2024

Steven Taylor

Feb. 4, 1954-March 6, 2024 Steven (Steve/Spook) Allen Taylor, 70, died March 6, 2024, in Gladstone.

He was born Feb. 4, 1954, in Kansas City to Bill and Opal Taylor. Steve attended Excelsior Springs High School and William Jewell College, and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.

He was a lifelong public servant who dedicated himself to bettering his community. He was a firefighter/EMT for the city of Excelsior Springs and the city of Holton, Ka.; an officer, detective and school resource officer (SRO) for the Excelsior Springs Police Department; a police officer with the city of Holton, Kan.; a deputy sheriff/ SRO with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department; and an educator and board member with the Excelsior Springs School District. After retirement, he served as a COVID response volunteer with the Mid-America Regional Council as a planning officer.

Outside his professional life, Steve was an avid sports fan and continued his education of kids by working as a basketball and football referee, a women’s basketball coach and a member of the Quarterback Club. He also was a talented gardener.

When not cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, watching aviation videos on YouTube or enjoying a Diet Coke, he could likely be found striking up conversations with strangers and attempting to determine which friends and relatives they might have in common. Steve’s motto was that “he never met a stranger.” He was a warm and welcoming presence to all who knew him, and he will be sorely missed.

Steve was predeceased by his mother, Opal Alice Taylor; father, Billie Eugene Taylor; and grandparents, James L. Taylor, Nina May Alleman/Taylor, George Tussey and Ethan Chapell/Tussey.

He is survived by his four children, Jeff Taylor (Alana), Brad Taylor (Meranda), Kevin Taylor and Susan Orlowski (Spencer); grandchildren, Allison Cummings, William Taylor, Ethan Ross-Taylor, Brent Taylor, Brody Taylor, Brynnley Taylor and Annelise Orlowski; greatgranddaughter, Gwenivyr Cummings; and sister, Barbara Morris.

Steve’s services will be held April 27, with a visitation 9-11 a.m. and a memorial service 11 a.m.-noon in the Winnetonka High School auditorium, 5815 N.E. 48th St., Kansas City.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Excelsior Springs Quarterback Club.