Dave Taylor, 71

David Bailey Taylor, age 71, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, July 5, 2021 at his home.
He was born June, 14, 1950 in Ft. Wayne, son of the late Patricia Ruth (Rozelle) and Clarence Bailey Taylor.
He grew up in Sturgis and graduated from Sturgis High School with the Class of 1968. Following his graduation, he furthered his education at Michigan State University and The University of Michigan.
He married Cindy Ann Sleeper on September 26, 1987 in Paw Paw.
Dave had been a successful entrepreneur, a licensed stock broker for Merrill Lynch, and an accomplished sales manager in Silicon Valley. He was the Director of Sales for Busch, Inc. of Virginia Beach, VA. until his retirement.
Dave had a wide variety of interests and was a lifelong learner. He loved life at Klinger Lake; swimming, waterskiing, and boating. He completely restored his 1967 Century runabout.
While living in California he taught himself to sail and loved spending time with his sons on the Monterey Bay in their Alberg Sloop. He enjoyed many family vacations on both Fenwick Island, Delaware where he loved to body surf and snorkeling off St. John, in the U.S.V.I.
Dave also enjoyed aviation. He worked at Willow Run Airport in Ann Arbor during college. He held a commercial pilots license.
Dave is survived by his sons, Christopher Bailey Taylor, M.D. of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI and Thomas David Taylor of Brooklyn, NY.; Sister Margaret (Charles) Baber of Klinger Lake and brother John (Debra) Taylor of Warsaw, IN.; nieces and nephews, Ron, Laura, Nathan, Carol, Emily, and Beth.
Dave will be remembered for his brilliant mind, fun sense of humor, generous spirit, and especially for his kind heart.
In accordance with family wishes cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis. A memorial service celebrating and honoring the life of David Bailey Taylor will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Sue Babb of the First United Methodist of Sturgis will officiate.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donations in Dave’s memory be directed to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 867 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where we encourage relatives and friends to share memories and leave condolences for the family.