Gordon J. Taylor

Gordon John Taylor, age 75, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2013. A memorial service will be held at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 South 42nd Street, Grand Forks, ND at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28th. Gordy was born on June 5, 1937 to John and Catherine (Landreville) Taylor on a farm near Newfolden, MN. After graduating from Newfolden High School in 1956, Gordy enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in June. He was trained at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego, California and had advanced training at Camp Matthews, California. He was assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton, California until his discharge as a Sergeant in June of 1959. Gordy married Carol Ornquist at Camp Pendleton, California in December of 1956. They had four children: Danny, Kerry, Michael and Susan. Gordy was hired by the Grand Forks Police Department in July of 1959 where he served as a patrolman and was promoted to the Detective Division. He was hired as a deputy sheriff for Grand Forks County in January of 1967. Upon being elected as Sheriff of Grand Forks County, Gordy took office January 1, 1975. He attended and graduated from the F.B.I. Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 1975. He served as sheriff until 1986. Following retirement, Gordy owned and ran a bait shop in Minnesota and worked on a farm owned by his good friend Maynard Peterson. Gordon was a member of the D.A.V., the V.F.W., the Elks Lodge and the N.D. Peace Officers Association. He also assisted for many years in a local charity which was called Kids Incorporated where he helped raise money to provide for underprivileged children. Gordy qualified as a Master with a handgun while attending the F.B. I. Academy. This was the highest level possible at that time. He was also an avid hunter and enjoyed going fishing with his sons and friends. He never missed watching a Minnesota Vikings game. Gordy always enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Gordy is survived by his children: Danny Taylor of Grand Forks, Kerry Taylor of Arizona, Michael Taylor and his wife Julie of Idaho, and Susan Bateman and her husband Brian of New Hampshire. Surviving grandchildren are: Sarah Anderson, Laura Palmer, Ben Taylor, Matthew Schaan, Anthony Schaan, Olivia Schaan, Michael Bateman and Lauren Taylor and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Linda Dirks and her husband Gary of Anoka, MN, and his nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mabel Taylor, his brother Wallace Taylor, and his grandson Nicholas Taylor. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gordy's name to Aurora Dialysis, 1451 44th Avenue South, Suite 104D, Grand Forks, ND 58201.