Morris William Taylor

Morris William Taylor, 66, affectionately known to his friends as "Mo", peacefully passed away at his home on December 10, 2015. Born on March 8, 1949, he lived a happy life in Kansas – from a childhood in Winfield to adult life in Topeka with his wife of 41 years, Christa Tompkins Taylor.

He is survived by his loving wife; their three children - Lyndsay Andrews of Houston, TX, Jennie Taylor Calhoun (and husband Jake Goldberg Calhoun) of Brooklyn, NY and Andy Taylor of Topeka, KS; 6 adoring grandchildren - Kamryn and Brody Andrews, Cassie and Noah Calhoun, and Ryan and Cadence Taylor; his parents - Ray and Joan Taylor of Arkansas City, KS; 3 siblings - Julie Mignone (and husband Lou Mignone) of Winfield KS, Jane Coffey (and husband Monte Coffey) of Carl Junction, MO and Bryan Taylor of San Diego, CA; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Morris lived in Winfield from his childhood until college. He attended Winfield High School, from 1963-1967, where he was a starter on the Viking Varsity basketball team. He was also a member of theFirst Presbyterian Church and attended Presbyterian Youth Group. He always helped his family - from assisting at the family funeral home to helping with the wheat harvest each summer.

After graduating high school he started college at Pittsburg State University with many of his high school buddies. They had a little too much fun together so he ended up transferring to Washburn University in Topeka. Along with schoolwork, Morris held a number of jobs that give insight into the wonderful person he was: he worked as a waiter with only his good looks and charms allowing him to get away with wrong orders because of his poor hearing; he also supported himself by regularly beating his friends at poker or pool, ensuring the games were enough fun that his friends always came back for more; he worked many years with juvenile delinquents from undergraduate through graduate school, leading to a life-long profession of helping others; and of course he was a favorite "House Boy" for Delta Gamma Sorority. After graduating from Washburn with a BA in Criminal Justice in 1973 he went on to earn his Masters in Vocational Counseling from Emporia State University (1976).

Morris met Christa at Washburn through one of his best friends from childhood. Their love was instantaneous, bonding over being hearing impaired since birth. Few outside of friends and family were aware of this, because both of them lived their lives to never feel disabled or handicapped. His hearing impairment was just part of who he was. There are many hilarious stories that came out of not hearing correctly, but the gift of being to laugh at yourself and not take things seriously was even bigger.

His ability to be empathetic, non-judgmentaland accepting was total. (Only Brownback and politics could raise his ire).

Morris devoted his life to loving and caring for others. He worked passionately as the Kansas State Director of Workman's Compensation for 10 years, Director of Vocational Services at the Menninger Clinic for 13 years, Assistant Director of Vocational and Return to Work programs at the Prairie Band Pottawatomie Tribe for 10 years and private practice as a Professional Licensed Counselor.

As a therapist and counselor for over 40 years, he spent countless hours supporting family, friends and acquaintances with kindness, empathy, acceptance and sage advice. Up until the day of his death, he said all he wanted to do was take care of Christa, his children, grandchildren and beloved dogs Maggie and Marco.

He loved sports and was an avid and accomplished tennis player and golfer. As all of his friends and family know, he was a rabid KU basketball fan - often believing if he yelled at the TV loud enough, he could get them to play better. If he wasn't watching sports, or spending time with his family - he could often be found engrossed in movies, TV shows or books. He was so moved by the stories of others he was often laughing or crying as if the characters were in the room.

He was so very proud of his 3 children, all of whom modeled their lives on his example in different and amazing ways. He respected them for their hard work, honesty, loyalty, integrity, and personal accountability. He was proudest of all at the absolutely awesome parents they have become, and he loved being a grandfather to their 6 adorable children.

Throughout their 41 year marriage Morris and Christa loved to travel together. They went all over Kansas together, as well as all corners of the US. They loved exploring the natural beauty of the country, from New York to Florida to California and Alaska. They also became seasoned international travelers with many trips to the beaches of Mexico, the Caribbean, and even New Zealand and Australia (where they also saw the Australian Open tennis tournament). One of their favorite trips was going to Kenya to visit their daughter and son-in-law where they lived and worked. They all went on a safari - fulfilling Morris' ultimate travel dream. While he loved seeing the natural beauty of different areas he was most interested in talking to people, hearing their stories and understanding what made everyone unique. If you were lucky enough to sit next to him on a flight by the end you would feel like you had a new friend.

More than anything he knew how to make people feel loved.Morris's generosity, good humor, laugh and smile were infectious to everyone. There isn't a person who did not respect and like Morris.

There will be an "open mic" celebration of his life on December 22ndfrom11am-1pmat the Topeka Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas (4500 Gage Blvd – corner of Gage and 45th St). Please come to listen to or share your favorite memories of Morris. Morris would love having donations made in his honor to the following organizations - American Diabetes Associate, One Acre Fund, The Hearing Health Foundation or your favorite charity.

He was a great role model, dad, husband, Papa and human. Morris leaves a huge void in our lives, but his unconditional love, support, guidance and memories will always be present.