Darren Jon Taylor

Darren Jon Taylor was called home on August 22nd 2026. He peacefully left this earth in his home in Salem, Oregon surrounded by love and without pain following a 6-year battle with stage IV Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma. He was 65.

Darren was born on the Army base in Ft Lewis, WA on April 29th, 1961 to John and Margaret “Anita” (Burford) Taylor. His early life was spent in Healdsburg, CA where he grew up as the middle child to brothers Everett and Scott. At 10, he was baptized at Church of Christ by his beloved grandmother, Celesta “Grammy” Taylor. Following his parents’ divorce in 1972, Darren moved with his family to Ft Bragg, CA. Darren attended Ft Bragg High School where he played saxophone in the school band as well as several sports, notably football, earning the nickname “Tacker Tay”. Fort Bragg High School is also where he met the love of his life, Tamara (Pettit) Taylor. Following graduation, Darren spent a brief time at Humboldt State University where he also played football. Darren enlisted in the United States Navy in 1980 as a Nuclear Electrician on submarines. He and Tami were married in 1980 as well.

Darren and Tami launched straight into family life as they moved around the country with the Navy between 1980 and 1988. They welcomed their first daughter Amanda in 1981, Kimberly in 1983 and Nicolette, born sleeping in 1987. After retiring from the Navy, the family moved to Chanhassen, Minnesota. They ran a small video store in Excelsior while Darren worked as a roofer and copier technician. In 1992, Darren took a job installing garage doors in California and the family moved west, eventually settling in Sonoma County. Darren worked as a Garage Door Contractor, owning Analy Door Systems for 20 years. Later in his life, Darren worked as a Schwan’s Delivery man, semi-truck driver, and finally a school bus driver. He could always tell you the best way to get anywhere. He always found a way to help people, especially kids.

During their time in Sonoma County, Darren and his family became very involved in their church. Darren held positions of leadership and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his daughters in the youth group. It was there, at The Light Student Ministries, that Darren first learned to play bass, thus becoming known as the “One-string Wonder” for his unique playing style. Darren served God with infectious joy.

A lifelong lover of sports, Darren was a diehard fan of the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco Giants. He coached several softball teams over his lifetime, from his girls’ childhood teams to church leagues. He also coached football, working with the Alumni Football Association as well as coaching High School football in Sonoma County.

In 2016, Darren and Tami moved to Magalia, CA. Tragically, they lost their house and all their possessions to the Camp Fire in 2018. They moved from there to Salem, Oregon where Darren lived until his passing.

Darren lived every moment of his life for those he loved. He was a goofball, a gentle giant, and kind to everyone he met. He is most certainly in the arms of his savior, and we celebrate that he is no longer sick.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Tami Taylor, his daughters, Amanda Crawford, her husband Ammond Crawford and their children Malachi and Hannah Crawford; Kimberly Taylor, her partner Sean Marshall and her children Naomi and Erin Hammer; and brothers Everett Taylor and Scott Taylor. He loved and was loved dearly by his extended family as well, too numerous to be named here. He was a father figure, coach, and caring adult to a multitude of young people throughout his life, the full extent of which we will never know.