Kent (KC) Crafton Taylor Jr.

Kent (KC) Crafton Taylor Jr. passed away unexpectantly on June 12, 2021, at the age of 59.

KC grew up in Novato, CA, and looked just like Ron Howard as a kid, so much so that he was passed off as him once and was known affectionately as “Opie” even as an adult. He graduated from San Marin High School where he played football and could be found most days on his road bike on the backroads of Marin County, subsequently competing as a junior rider.

He worked hard and was accepted to the Naval Academy, but instead jumped into a career at a young age as a lighting director for sound and stage, working with many famous acts from Las Vegas to San Francisco — Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Joel Grey, Rupert Holmes, and Shields and Yarnell to just name a handful. He would go on to be a building engineer for the next 25 years and worked at The Fairmont and Sheraton hotels, 525 Market Street, Four Embarcadero Center and recently retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, where he worked with great people and had many opportunities, including a stint to live and work in New Orleans at the Atlanta Fed branch, which he really enjoyed. He could be seen on the early morning Tiburon Ferry and rode his bicycle back home over the Golden Gate Bridge to Tiburon for most of his career.

He loved all vehicles and enjoyed driving his old classic cars frequently. He cherished his time spent with his friends at the races, be it at F1 in Canada, flying in by helicopter to NASCAR or attending local events at Sears Point (Sonoma Raceway) where he grew up. There were many fun trips down to Monterey over the years to attend the exciting events of “Car Week.”

KC wore his heart on his sleeve; he was someone you could always depend on. His smile was infectious, loyalty and friendship fierce, love of history, country and constitution a constant. One thing that was undeniable and undisputable was his love, adoration and respect for his wife and doting companion of 27 years, Lana.

He is predeceased by his father Kent Crafton Taylor, and mother Sylvia (Dwinnell) Taylor. He is survived by his wife Lana Taylor, his sister Pamela (Rod) Wallace, Uncle Jim, Aunt Marilyn and 11 cousins.

He will be remembered and sorely missed by many friends, neighbors and acquaintances alike, as his ability to create an instant connection to people was truly a gift.

A gathering to remember and reflect on KC’s life will be held in the fall in Tiburon, CA.

Contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate, or any other veteran’s charity of your liking. You can always buy a soldier/veteran a drink (be it nice tequila or a glass of cold milk) and thank them for their service. That is what KC would have done.