Terry Lee Taylor, of Terre Haute, passed away in his sleep at home on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
He was born September 22, 1951, in Terre Haute to Ellis “Zeke” Taylor and Patricia R. Wyatt
and raised just south of Seelyville. He was the proud grandson of Lee Wyatt and Mayme
Bender of Seelyville and Ellis L. Taylor, Sr., and May Violet Williams of Rosedale.

Terry and his wife Terri D. Newby were married in Jasonville, Indiana, in 1973, and moved to
Pullman, Washington, where he pursued a Master’s degree in geology at Washington State
University, writing the first study of the basalt stratigraphy of the Saddle Mountains of central
Washington. He worked as a field geologist out West until returning to Indiana in 1979, later
teaching geography and geology through Indiana State University’s credit outreach program.

Terry was a caretaker for beautiful things that matter. For nearly 40 years, he coaxed an old
strip mine south of Seelyville back to life, providing a home for the birds, animals and fireflies he
loved so much and caring for plants and trees that are now a monument to his dedication and
work. He cared nothing for status and fame, and everything for moonrises and Milky Ways.
While Terry cherished the dramatic landscapes of the American West – climbing to the summit
of Mount Rainier in his youth, traversing the majestic Rockies and Sierra, and holding a
permanent fondness in his heart for the Colorado River and the wheatfields of the Palouse –
perhaps nowhere was he more at home than in the fields and woods around Rosedale, Indiana,
where his family first settled during pioneer days. Though on the one hand he couldn’t get
enough of Star Wars movies, he loved rusty, dusty old farm implements more than most modern
gadgets and sought to preserve old things of beauty for others to appreciate. His goofy
demeanor masked a deep vein of emotion and care.

An avid genealogist who pieced together the family history for the first time, he knew that the
past was also a place of life and deserves our care and respect. Often, while walking in the old
cemeteries of Parke County, he would stop and apologize to some young pioneer mother for
rustling the grass around her grave too loudly, then wish her good night in the sweet May

honeysuckle or the tallgrass. We are confident that the people and places he loved are still with
him now, and will be forever. We didn’t say it often enough when you were with us, but thank
you for all that you have done. We love you and will miss you terribly.

Terry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Terri D. Taylor; children Michael L. Taylor (Jessica) of
Ferndale, Washington, Stephen J. Taylor, and Kathryn L. Wampler (Zak) of Terre Haute;
grandson Miles Benjamin Taylor; brother Robert J. Taylor (Denise) of Terre Haute; close friends
Ray and Daryl Fenio of Bloomington and Ron and Joyce Marten of DeKalb, Illinois; and two
loving cats, Tommy and Lady. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, and
by beloved pets Blackie, Dixie and Buddy. All of them are currently enjoying his company on
the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

At his request, there will be no funeral service. Burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery. En lieu of
flowers, please do something kind for someone today, and take care of small creatures and
things. He will be proud of you.

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