Taylor John Sterk

Taylor was born at Northside Hospital to Dennis and Nancy on April 23, 1987. He attended Christ the King School, St. Pius X Catholic High School while participating in soccer, football and baseball at the Northside Youth Organization (NYO). Taylor received his undergraduate degree and later graduated with his Masters from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. While at SIU he also worked as an assistant equipment manager including a summer internship with the Jacksonville Jaguars. When he moved back to Atlanta he remained in the sports industry at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Later he began working at Emory Healthcare for the past eight years. During this time he also volunteered at several ladies’ pro golf and tennis events throughout the U.S.

Taylor loved watching all sports, playing golf and traveling – everything from Big Ten football games to various Presidents’ homes all over the United States. Taylor and his brother Hunter went to many games together and would talk for endless hours about their favorite teams and players. Taylor was an avid walker and would often walk 8-10 miles a day and also participated in a few marathons around the country. Taylor also loved the card game euchre which he learned as a kid with all of his Iowa family. He even taught Hillary, and they enjoyed playing with Hunter and his girlfriend, Emily, last Christmas.

Taylor was a very caring and patient person who always found the good in people. He was very involved in the Catholic Church – lecturing at Holy Spirit Catholic Church for many years. Three years ago he met the love of his life and fiancé – Hillary Hanley. She was and is a loving and selfless person and helped Taylor so much. Together they practiced their Catholic faith and became very involved at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek.

Taylor was preceded in death by his grandparents, Victor and Adell Tabaka of Atlanta; grandfather, Robert Sterk; aunt, Sandy Sterk and cousin; Joey Sterk both from Iowa; and his uncles, Jan Philip Tabaka and Robert James Tabaka of Atlanta. He is survived by his parents, Dennis and Nancy; his brother, Hunter; his fiancé, Hillary Hanley; his cousins, Ginny Tabaka (Perry) Walthour of Jacksonville, FL and Paige Tabaka (Derrick) Vohs of Atlanta, GA; and his aunt, Vicki Tabaka of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by his grandmother, Grace Sterk of Iowa; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins all from the Midwest.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday October 30, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 pm, followed by a rosary and opportunity for everyone to share memories of Taylor. It will be held at H. M. Patterson & Son – Oglethorpe Chapel Funeral Home in Brookhaven (4550 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA).

A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 31 at 11:00 am at St. Brigid Catholic Church - 3400 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA. A luncheon will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) afsp.org.