Jack was born in Moab, Utah, March 20, 1929 to Arthur Alonzo and Estella Newell Taylor, the youngest of nine children. Soon after graduation in Moab, he moved to Grand Junction with his mother and sister Evelyna only to meet the love of his life, Zoa Harris. They married in 1949 and enjoyed 68 years of marriage. Two daughters were born to them, Paula Jarvis, who is deceased, and Jan Wilson. The family was blessed with six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Their marriage was solemnized in the Mesa Temple in 1972.
Jack and Zoa moved around due to his profession as a supervisor in the milling industry. Jack was a self-made man starting out at Climax as a laborer, then worked in Green River, WY, Hobbs, NM, and Trona, CA in the uranium, potash and soda ash industries. His crowning achievement was construction of the Solvay Soda Ash Plant in Green River, Wyoming that was built under his direct supervision.
Jack was a member of the LDS church, serving positions as Scout leader, ward counselor and as an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple. He also served a 6-month mission at the MTC in Provo and a 2-year mission in the Bishop’s Storehouse in Grand Junction.
Jack was a jack of all trades and master of none. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, and it had to look good too. He enjoyed carpentry, gardening and service to others. But the thing he enjoyed most was his family. His grandkids and great-grandkids were his delight.
His remaining family includes wife Zoa and daughter Jan, grandchildren Jack Jarvis (Marie), Mindi Wilson Allen (Brad), Zoa Jarvis, Lisa Jarvis, Tim Wilson, Weston Wilson and his beloved great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10 AM Thursday at Fruitvale LDS chapel with viewing at 9 AM December 7, 2017. Interment will be in Moab Grand Valley Cemetery Friday at 11 AM. The family sincerely wishes in lieu of flowers for donations to be made to HopeWest or Alzheimer’s Disease Research.
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