Derek Edwin Taylor

Derek, age 52, passed away on January 25, 2025, at his home in Magna, due to complications from his recent Multiple Myeloma diagnosis.

Derek was born on March 2, 1972, in Ogden, Utah, to Edwin and Karre Taylor. Derek spent his early childhood in the Ogden area, and elementary school years in Pocatello, Idaho and Washington state, and moved to California when he was 12. He graduated from Tokay High School, in Lodi, California in 1990. He was a member of the Tokay Tigers wrestling team.

Derek was a man of many talents and interests. He enjoyed the outdoors, photography, collecting things, travel, cooking, a variety of music genres, grilling and smoking meat, card games, dominoes, woodworking, playing, and watching sports. He loved to play racquetball. 

Derek had a 30-year career with FedEx Express. He started working at the Oakland hub in 1994 and transferred to the Salt Lake City airport location about 2 years later. Derek was very knowledgeable about Ramp operations and regulations. Derek loved working at FedEx. Until his recent cancer diagnosis, Derek was never late or never missed a day of work.

Derek and Michelle met in 1998 and were married on June 24, 2000, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their son Ian was born in 2008, and Gabe in 2016. Derek loved being a dad and teaching his boys about the things of life. Derek was a wonderful and devoted husband, and never let a day go by without saying “I love you” at least once. He worked hard to provide a good life for his family. 

During his illness, Derek kept a positive attitude with the motto of “one day, and one step at a time”. Despite his physical pain and general fatigue, he continued to go to work and be present for his family.

Derek is survived by his wife, Michelle; sons, Ian and Gabe of Magna, Utah; parents, Ed and Karre Taylor of Grants Pass, Oregon; his brother, Darren (Julie) Taylor of Stockton, California; his parents-in-law, Darrell and Joyce Farmer of Midvale, Utah; and many other family members including brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who all love him. 

Derek is preceded in death by his grandparents and sister-in-law Amanda Taylor. 

Derek's funeral service will be on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Peel Funeral Home, 8525 W Magna Main St, Magna, UT at 11 AM. Interment will follow at the Memorial Lake Hill Cemetery, 10055 S. State St, Sandy, UT. A Viewing will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Peel Funeral Home from 5-7 PM, and before the funeral service from 10:00-10:45 AM.