Joseph Brown Bear Taylor

Joseph Brown Bear Taylor passed away on March 26, 2011 after a long illness. He was born on January 6, 1934 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the only child of Charles F. Taylor and Mary Elizabeth Collins Taylor. Born into the Manitou Band of the Ojibwa tribe, a small band of non-reservation Indians who worked in the tourist industry in the Manitou Springs area, he received a treasured traditional tribal upbringing. ln 1952, he joined the United States Marines and served in Korean combat and later in the Military police. Despite a difficult war and severe wounds that compromised his health, he valued the experiences, especially those involving global travel. Subsequently, he mastered many skills in a variety of occupations, the longest in the steel fabrication industry in Kansas City, Missouri. In Missouri, he met his life companion, Betti Carol VanEpps. There, he also graduated from the Water and Wastewater Technical Institute in Neosho, Missouri and later worked as a wastewater technician. After his health failed, he moved to Yankton, South Dakota where his health improved, managing the couple's investment property while Betti pursued her federal career in Washington, DC. After she left government, they took classes together at the University of South Dakota and he was her mainstay and moral support as she developed her third career as a teacher, writer, and historian. In 1997, he and Betti were married, a choice they never regretted. The following year, they moved to Idaho to care for Betti's aging parents, Claude and Martha Van Epps. Settled in Buhl, Joseph became a life member of VFW and, until his health failed, was active on the Buhl Citizens on Patrol. For several years, the couple traveled to South Dakota in support of Betti's work as a historian. There, Lakota friends encouraged them to write his memoir of growing up Indian, which will be published later this year as Shadow Walker. Their other shared passion has been feline welfare and rescue. Over the past ten years, several hundred needy cats and kittens have owed their health and second chance to the Taylor foster home and Joseph's special skills in working with felines. Known to his friends as Brown Bear, Joseph is survived by his beloved wife, Betti stepdaughter, Kathy (Dennis) Harris-Graham; her daughters, Korey Beerbaur and Katie Graham; their daughters, Alyssa and Torey, all of Kansas City, Missouri; and assorted feline companions, including his special pals Nurse Tammy, Pickles, and Betsy Domino, who all will miss him greatly. We invite his many friends to join us for a celebration of his life at the Buhl United Methodist Church 908 Maple Street, Buhl, Idaho on April 16, 2011 at 11:00 A.M., to be followed by lunch. ln lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Brown Bear's memory by contributing to the local non-profit feline rescue group, Magicats, Inc., P.O. Box 248, Rupert, Idaho 83350, Twin Falls People for Pets, or PetSmart Charities, through their Twin Falls store. All provide that important second chance for many companion animals who just need a "little help from their friends." A contribution to Hospice Visions in his name would also be appropriate as we are deeply grateful to them for the 3 ½ days of their loving care in his home, making his transition so much easier. Condolences may also be offered on line at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com. All services and arrangements are under the direction of the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho.