Burk Reid Taylor, age 90 of Wolf Point, MT passed away Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point.
Burk was born on August 18, 1919 in LaChute, Quebec, Canada to Reid and Miriam (Burk) Taylor. His mother was from Canada and she and his father met in the Benrud Community. They lived for a short time in Canada and at age one, in 1920, the family moved to the Benrud Community north of Wolf Point, MT. Burk attended country school then boarded in town to attend high school in Wolf Point. He graduated at the top of his class.
Following graduation he attended the University of Washington. He stopped schooling to work in the shipyards on the west coast building ships for WWII. Following the war he moved back to Wolf Point and worked at the Triangle Café which his parents owned. There he met the love of his life, Shirley Limesand, who was a waitress. They were married November 12, 1946 in Glasgow, MT. They made their home in Wolf Point and were blessed with six children.
Burk had a vast work history including a trucking business and owner of Taylor Lumber. He built several homes in Wolf Point including the family home and several present business structures. Following the sale of Taylor Lumber he went to work for the Montana Highway Dept for the next 34 years retiring as section foreman and accomplishing a goal of the State providing health insurance for its employees.
Burk was a member of Toastmasters International, the Elks Club, the Wolf Point School Board, Presbyterian Church Council, the Republican Party and the TV Board. He was instrumental in bringing television to Wolf Point.
Burk was a natural athlete and enjoyed all sports but especially baseball. He coached the independent basketball team that hosted the Harlem Globetrotters. Other interests included a love of education and politics; he was an avid reader and enjoyed a daily crossword puzzle. Burk was a family man, loving and caring for his wife and children.
Burk is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley Taylor of Wolf Point; his children, Denise Taylor of Lake Oswego, OR, Lana Halverson of Billings, MT, Kali Lien of Wolf Point, Scott (Gail) Taylor of Wolf Point and Janell (John) Bond of Billings; his grandchildren, Heather Halverson, Josh (LeAnn) Lien, Kristi Halverson, Erin (Mark) Hardin, Aliyah Taylor and Taylor Bond; his great grandchildren, Jimmy and Jake Lien and Dominic Hardin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Douglas and infant son, Gary.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 3, 2009 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 4, 2009 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www. stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.