Jonathan Taylor

Taylor—Jonathan Taylor, 80, on July 3, 2020. He was born on July 13, 1939, to Kathrine Kressmann Taylor and Elliot Taylor in Orangetown, N.Y.

Jonathan earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Arizona and master’s degree in environmental science at Washington State University. His PhD in renewable natural resources was earned at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz.

Jonathan loved being outdoors. A portion of his professional career was spent working for the U.S. Geological Survey performing social science research. He also taught at several universities and worked at the Chicago Field Museum.

Jonathan and Suzanne met in Tucson on a blind date in October 1967. They were married at Catalina United Methodist Church in Tucson on December 21, 1967.

Jonathan and Suzanne joined the Religious Society of Friends in 1971. He served as clerk of Fort Collins (Colo.) Meeting and as a member of Ministry and Counsel Committee. He was also on the Continuing Committee for Intermountain Yearly Meeting.

Jonathan delighted in working with young friends. He was a Friendly Adult Presence at Intermountain Yearly Meeting, sharing his knowledge and wonder of the natural world. He and Suzanne led the Friends World Committee for Consultation Quaker youth pilgrimage to England and Northern Ireland in 1992.

Jonathan and Suzanne lived in Tucson from 1978 to 1984, where they served Pima Meeting in Tucson in many ways. After he and Suzanne returned to Tucson to retire in 2006, he served on Pima Meeting’s Peace and Social Concerns Committee for nearly a decade and on Ministry and Oversight Committee.

Jonathan is survived by his wife, Suzanne Taylor; two children, Caitlin and Brennan; and two grandchildren.