Obituary of Jack Felton Taylor

“The greatest legacy that one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” -Billy Graham If you were to look up the definition of character in the dictionary, Wikipedia, Google or any one of a dozen social media platforms, you would find a picture of Jack Taylor. If the measure of a man is his character, then Jack Taylor was truly a giant. “Jack” (John Felton Taylor, JR) passed away peacefully on March 30th, 2017, at Pebble Beach, CA.. He was surrounded by love and family members in the final moments of his life and will missed by too many to count. Jack was born in San Francisco on February 10th, 1925 to his loving mother Mary Madeline Sicocan and dear father John F Taylor, SR, M.D.. Jack’s older sister, Mary Margaret, was born in 1923 and his younger twin siblings Betty and Bud arrived in 1927, followed by Joan in 1932. Unfortunately, Jack’s father passed away suddenly in 1934. Jack’s mother returned to nursing in order to courageously support the family. With the help of great uncle Father James Taylor and great aunt Imelda Taylor, Jack and Bud were enrolled in St. Joseph's Military Academy in the fall of 1934. In 1939, Jack attended St. Ignatius High School. In 1941, Jack’s mother moved the family to Santa Clara, California, where she continued to operate a nursing home. In September 1942, after completing the Aviation Cadet program, Jack enlisted in the US Army Air Force. Jack graduated and received his wings at the age of 19 in June of 1944. In July 1944, Jack went overseas to New Guinea. While stationed in Nassau, New Guinea, Jack was trained as a troop carrier pilot flying Z-97 and C-46 aircraft. Jack’s service included resupply missions and carrying troops to the Philippines, the East Indies and Okinawa. After bravely serving his country, Jack retired as a 1st Lieutenant then returned home on December 18, 1945. Jack returned to civilian life and started his college education at San Jose State College, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Business Administration. In 1947, Jack met and instantly fell in love with Wilbi Prather. They were married in1948. Daughter Stephanie arrived followed by Sharon, Suzanne, Stacie, John Felton III, Saundra and Shelby. Jack started his professional life in the fall of 1950. In 1952, after a brief stint selling New York Life Insurance, Jack received a job as a Claims Adjuster with Farmers Insurance Group. In early 1954, after a chance meeting with claims adjusters in the San Jose Region and with Farmer Insurance’s Chairman John Tyler, Jack decided that sales was the place to make the money necessary to support a large family. Mr. Tyler encouraged all of the adjusters to transfer to sales...Jack was the only one that did! In June 1954, Jack started as a Farmers Insurance agent and in a short time, Jack was making $600/ per month, with Jack’s production usually leading the entire agency. Jack qualified for the exclusive Toppers club every year until August of 1957 when he received the call to accept an appointment as a Farmers District Sales Manager. Jack concentrated his business in the cities of Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Cupertino. Jack recruited his brother Bud and appointed Bud and two other agents to his Sunnyvale office. After four years, Jack was able to appoint 10 more agents, and by the time Jack retired, as many as 70 full time agents served the District. Jack retired from Farmers Insurance Group in 1997. Jack personally knew the founders of Farmers Insurance and was instrumental in building the company to the third largest in the country. Wilbi and Jack spent 20 years enjoying his hard-earned retirement at his homes in Pebble Beach and Indian Wells. There are no words to describe our Jack that adequately portray him, as he was truly in a league of his own. Jack was an outstanding son, brother, husband, father, uncle to many nieces and nephews, mentor, grandfather, great-grandfather as well as a fantastic golfer. He was an avid San Francisco Giants and 49er’s fan and would often be caught red-handed with an ice cream drumstick in hand while watching their games. Everyone looked up to and admired Jack, from his handsome smile and easy going personality, his selfless nature, his determined ambition, to the way he endlessly took care of his family and loved his dear wife, Wilbi. He was always quick to tell his children and his grandchildren how proud he was of them. He taught his whole family to love every single moment of life, that happiness is a choice, that family always comes first, and to be humble and grateful. He was a man full of integrity, humility, love, honor, and grace. Shortly before his passing, Jack said “it’s been a wonderful life,” and we all couldn’t agree more. It was a wonderful life with Jack and we all hope to instill his many enduring qualities in ourselves and our future generations. We ask everyone who knew him to please enjoy some chocolate or a gin-martini in his honor. Jack has joined his daughters, Sharie and Stacie in Heaven. He will be dearly missed by his wife Wilbi, children & spouses, 19 grandchildren & spouses, 7 great-grandchildren, sister, Betty Parden and many nieces and nephews. Services: Memorial Mass Sacred Heart Church 13716 Saratoga Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 Thursday April 20, 2017 @11am Reception immediately following Please RSVP to: http://jacktaylor.rsvpify.com www.bermudezfamilyfunerals.com , for further details and photos. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Jack’s life, please make donations to the Jack F. Taylor Memorial Fund: http://igfn.us/f/1ak/2/n Service Information