Bernard B. Taylor

     Bernard Burton Taylor, age 72, took God's hand surrounded by family and left us peacefully Thursday, November 12, 2020 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was a very loving husband, father, papa, uncle, brother and friend. Bernard wore many hats and touched the lives of those associated with each one.

Born November 16, 1947 to Charles (Burt) and Bernice Taylor, Bernard attended Windham grade school. He was a 1966 graduate of Stanford and went on to the National Electronics Institute in Denver. He also served 4 years in the Navy or "Uncle Sam's Canoe Club" as he always referred to it, serving during the Vietnam War.

While in Denver, Bernard met and married Barbara Kennedy. A daughter Becky joined them in 1968. They later divorced.

     Upon his return to Montana after the Navy, Bernard's head was turned by the local preachers kid, Martie. Their journey together began in 1974. They had quite an adventure for 46 years.

     Their EMT career began in 1974 when they took the class in Lewistown. Forty-six years later, many ambulance calls, classes taught and knowledge shared, Bernard retired. He enjoyed sharing his experiences with many. The EMS humor, as it is known by fellow colleagues, was necessary to get through some of the more difficult calls. This never slowed Bernard down from doing something he loved most-community service. In addition to being an EMT he was a charter member of the Judith Basin Search and Rescue and the Little Belt Snowmobile Club. He also served as Hobson Fire Chief for many years.

     As dedicated as Bernard was to community, nothing was more important to him than family. Bernard and Martie had 2 children, Shane, 1977 and Keri, 1979. Their family grew over the years as their kids got older. Many winter snow days from school found their basement wall to wall kids watching movies and just hanging out. Everyone was always welcome at their home and he soon became "dad" to several, and still are today.

Grandkids made the circle of life complete. Sharing his knowledge of the mountains for hunting, finding the best fishing holes, sitting around the campfire, or finding the deepest snowdrift to get stuck in snowmobiling were things that brought great joy to him. Of course, his "Johnny" jokes and other words of wisdom were always a highlight to the kids.

     "No" was seldom found in Bernard and Martie's vocabulary. Building floats, coaching baseball, cutting firewood or Christmas trees for school fund raisers, or driving bus they were always there. Bernard became a master chef flipping burgers and steaks at Stevenson's sales and spending hours basting and putting the right touch on the many pigs he would BBQ for graduations, weddings and any other event that he was asked to cook one for.

     Bernard was Postmaster in Hobson for 32 years, retiring in 2003. At that time, he and Martie started a construction business. Many marveled at how they could work together without killing each other. But for those that know them well, it was no mystery. The way they could spin around the dance floor as one, with smiles as wide as the sky, showed how in sync they were at anything.

     He is survived by his wife of 46 years Martie of Hobson; son Shane (Billi) Taylor of Stanford; daughters Becky Kane (Bexton Carlisle) of Colstrip and Keri (Joe) Lockwood of Shepherd; sister Bernadine (Allen) Mikkelson of Windham; 6 grandchildren, Rachel, Dylan, Taylor, Breanna, Dani and Ryker; several nieces and nephews.

     Graveside Memorial Services for Bernard B. Taylor will be Saturday, November 21^st, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. in the Philbrook Cemetery in Hobson, cremation has taken place with the Cloyd Funeral Home assisting the family.

     Friends are asked to make memorials to Hobson Rural Fire or Hobson Ambulance or the charity of their choice. They may be left with Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com