Christopher D. Taylor Obituary (1952

Christopher D. Taylor died peacefully at his home from pancreatic cancer on May 20, 2021. Chris was born May 13, 1952, to parents Joe and Louise Taylor of Santa Paula, California and he lived most of his life in Ventura County. Chris was proud to be a 4th generation farmer on the property his family homesteaded in 1867; and he worked the ranch there from the time he was a young boy until his retirement. Chris attended St. Sebastian Elementary School in Santa Paula and then St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, where he excelled in sports; most importantly, Track and Football. In his Junior Year, his team won Bonaventure’s first CIF Championship and many of his teammates have remained lifelong friends. Chris graduated high school (class of 70!) and moved on to Ventura College where he again played football and ran track; upon graduation, he transferred to Cal Poly in Pomona, CA. There Chris majored in Soil Sciences and Fruit Industries and was named President of the Fruit Industries Club which gave him the opportunity to travel to many ranches throughout the State to study innovative farming practices which served him well throughout his career. It was at Cal Poly that Chris met his wife, Betsy. Upon graduation, Chris returned to his beloved South Mountain and his professional career began at Leavens Ranches, and then with Ventura Coastal Co. However, most of his career was spent at the Limoneira Company in Santa Paula where he served as their Senior Vice President of farming. There he had the opportunity to join with other leaders in the farming industry to test innovative farming techniques from plant varieties, frost protection strategies, and irrigation and mechanical innovations. He also was able to travel to many places throughout the country and abroad which included South America, Turkey, Italy, and Australia. Chris was devoted to the farming community and served on countless boards and committees. He served as president of Young Farmer’s and Ranches and then in 1991-93 as president of Farm Bureau. He also served on the University of California’s Hansen Trust Advisory Board, Director of California Citrus Mutual, the U.C. Citrus Research Board and served many water boards and the Santa Paula High School Ag Program. He was a strong supporter of all things that helped young people participate in agricultural education and gain an appreciation of the true value of farming. Chris also served on the Ventura County Sheriff’s Posse and was a member of the Mounted Search and Rescue Team. He was a member of Rancheros Vistadores Campo Adolfo, where he enjoyed riding the hills of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and the many friendships there. As devoted as Chris was to his profession, his family and friends were always a priority. He and Betsy built their home on the family ranch where they raised their children, Adrienne and Ben. Both kids learned to appreciate and respect the land, and both are now involved in the farming industry, but with an emphasis on their families. Chris loved watching them grow into the great human beings they have become. He remarked often that life had come full circle as he watched his kids play sports at Bonaventure (Adrienne in Track and Cheerleading and Ben in Basketball and Football wearing his dad’s #84). Chris also loved to go water skiing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing with friends and family and did so as frequently as he could. In 2019 Chris and Betsy moved to Prosser, Washington to live on the Yakima River near their daughter. There Chris enjoyed different birds in the flyway over the river and all sorts of wildlife that surrounded them on the river and in the Horse Heaven Hills that was their backyard. Chris was a huge supporter of his grandchildren in their sporting activities. He attended many basketball games and rodeos for granddaughter Morgan and countless baseball, football, and basketball games for grandson Jacob. Retirement provided the time for Betsy and Chris to make many trips down the Washington to California coast to spend time together and with grandson’s Elliot and Rory; Papa Chris loved his “Taylor Boys”. Chris is survived by Betsy, his wife of 45 years, daughter Adrienne Rainer (Jason), son Ben Taylor (Courtney), and grandchildren Morgan Rainer, Jacob Rainer, Elliot Taylor, and Rory Taylor, sisters Carolyn Taylor and Michelle Taylor, and sister-in-law Donna Hill. He is also survived by his horse Earl and many amazing friends. His friends were such an important part of his life and include Bob and Bill Coultas, Matt Basolo, Mike Waldron, Beth VanGundy Swaim, Steve Lang, Kathy Bryson Murray, Vince O’Neill, Mike Driscoll, Jim Schieferle, Mike Egan, and Pepe Sanchez. There are no words to adequately convey why each, in their own way, were so important. Chris always said he wasn’t wealthy, but his friends made him rich. Chris will be remembered as a natural farmer that cared deeply for the land and the rich history of Ventura County. Most of all, Chris was a devoted farmer, husband, and father. He was a great friend to so many, and just a really good guy who quietly helped so many. He is, and always will be missed by all. A Celebration of Chris’ life will be held on Saturday August 21, at Limoneira Park, 1141 Cummings Road, Santa Paula CA at 11:00 am.