Arnold Taylor

Taylor—Arnold Taylor, 83, on March 28, 2025, of a stroke, at Cascade Manor retirement community in Eugene, Ore. Arnold was born on August 7, 1935, in McPherson, Kans. He spent his childhood in Kansas and in Burns, Ore. He graduated from high school in 1953 and worked briefly as a logger until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in Germany from 1954 to 1956.

When his military service ended, Arnold returned to Oregon and did forestry work as a logger, a fire lookout, a firefighter, and a wilderness ranger. He eventually quit forestry and attended Oregon State University in Corvallis to get a teaching credential. He taught science at Junction City Junior High in Kansas for a few years and then attended the University of Oregon in Eugene to get a master’s in education to teach science. Subsequently, Arnold taught science in Eugene at Kennedy Junior High, where he also coached soccer, and then at Sheldon High School.

Arnold was a popular, energetic, and creative teacher. Students appreciated his caring nature and lively sense of humor, and enjoyed the science projects he came up with, such as designing and then building and launching rockets.

Arnold retired from public school teaching in 1994 and taught at the University of Oregon in the Education Department until 2003. He taught science teaching methods to prospective high school teachers and also supervised student teachers.

Arnold loved the outdoors and enjoyed many outdoor activities, including hiking, biking (both cross country and racing), mountain climbing, and camping. Some of his favorite places to visit were the South Sister mountain, eastern Oregon, and the Oregon coast.

Arnold was a student of theology. He learned about Quakerism in the 1960s. He eventually came to believe that Quakerism reflected his values more than any other church. In 1970, he transferred his membership from the Christian Church in Junction City to Eugene (Ore.) Meeting. He was active in the meeting’s Junior Friends program, leading many outdoor activities including a now legendary 50+ mile backpack trip from Eugene to the Alpha Farm community near Mapleton.

Arnold married Sharon Marie Henderson in 1958. They had four children, Shannon, Mike, Dave, and Steve. In the late 1970s, the couple divorced. In June 1980, Arnold married Lois Foss Taylor, whom he had met at Eugene Meeting and who was also a fellow teacher at Kennedy Junior High. In 1981, Lois transferred her membership from Multnomah Meeting in Portland, Ore., to Eugene Meeting. At that time the couple also requested Junior Friends membership for Arnold’s four children and Lois’s daughter, Rachel.

Arnold and Lois drifted away from active participation with Quakers during the 1990s. Arnold had friends in the Methodist Church in Eugene. He participated in a men’s group there and in the church’s food for the homeless program. However, he kept his membership in Eugene Meeting and continued throughout his life to identify as a Quaker spiritually.

Arnold and Lois moved into Cascade Manor in 2019. Arnold began a slow decline and was diagnosed with dementia in 2022. Throughout his decline Arnold’s loving and open nature persisted, and the twinkle in his eye shone through, warming the hearts of those around him.

Arnold is survived by his wife, Lois Foss Taylor; four children, Shannon Scarlett, Mike Taylor, Dave Taylor, and Steve Taylor; one stepchild, Rachel Taylor; six grandchildren; a brother, Ted Taylor; and a sister-in-law, Julia Leinberger.