One person many Portlanders and people all over the US will
never forget was my father Pete Taylor. Whether on a bus, sitting outdoors,
playing football or being with family he never gave up. Pete is well known for
his writing and ability to see the good in people while keeping a safe
distance. He wrote a lot of different kinds of things. Pete was I hope someone
people admired and relied on in times of need.
Pete was never a real emotional guy though. He rarely cried
or laughed much but you knew by his expressions what he was thinking or
feeling. Pete instead showed he cared though his actions and drive to make the
world a better place. If you needed something he’d most times drop what he was
doing to help you. You could call him 40 times a day and he always picked up,
even if he was napping. I really liked
knowing that he was always just a phone call away. He’d give you a ride or the
shirt off he’s back if that’s what you needed. He was also good at making
others feel good about themselves even when they made mistakes or went about
things the wrong way.
There were a lot of
things Pete had no choice but to leave things unfinished or unsaid. I know he is
smiling down on us today because I along with my sister have helped Mom tie up a
lot of the lose ends that fell to the wayside. I do know that had he had the
chance he would have told both my mom and sister that he was happy and proud of
their accomplishments. He would have also wanted them to know that he loved
them and continues to today.
I know what happened to Pete was nothing short of
fair or something he wanted to go through but he fought till the bitter end. No one can replace Pete, but I hope I can live up to the
same standers he did all his life. He was a special person one we will never
forget.
