Allen N Taylor

Allen “Neil” Taylor passed away at the age of 76 on June 7, 2020 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Neil
was born on May 22, 1944 in Hugo, Colorado to parents Ralph and Sarah (Clodfelter) Taylor.
Neil was raised in Karval, Colorado and after graduating from Karval High School attended
Colorado State University. Neil obtained a bachelor degree in Animal Science at CSU.
While attending college, Neil met the love of his life Susan Griffith. The couple were married on
July 27, 1968. They celebrated 41 wonderful years together before her passing in 2009. In the
early years of the marriage Neil worked as a livestock handler and hired hand in Colorado. They
enjoyed traveling to livestock shows. In the early 1970’s they set out on an adventure and
moved to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Neil was hired as the manager of a sheep ranch and
loved to tell stories and show slides of their time in Alaska. While in Alaska in 1972, Neil and
Sue celebrated the birth of their son Todd. The couple moved back to the mainland in 1974 and
settled in for a long and enjoyable life in Wyoming. In 1975, Neil and Sue were given a surprise
when their twin daughters Heidi and Amy were born.
Neil was employed in Laramie, WY for 27 years as a shepherd for the Animal Science
Department at the University of Wyoming. During his time in Laramie, he truly enjoyed
supporting hundreds of 4-H, FFA, and collegiate livestock judging teams in their attempt to learn
about sheep selection. He enjoyed traveling to local and state fairs as a judge for many sheep
shows. He was heavily involved in Albany county’s 4-H program mentoring hundreds of young
people in sheep selection and production. He was the coach of 3 Wyoming state champion wool
judging teams and enjoyed traveling to Sonora,Texas for the national contests.
After retiring in 2003 Neil and Sue realized the dream of buying their own acreage in
Hillsdale,Wyoming. They enjoyed raising Columbia sheep and were members of the Columbia
Sheep Association. Neil spent the last year of his life enjoying friends and staff at Whispering
Chase Retirement Community in Cheyenne, WY.
Grateful for sharing in his life are his children: Todd (Lynnette) Taylor, Arlington, WI; Heidi
(Tracy) Collins, Prairie City,SD; and Amy (Steve) Jungwirth of Kansas City, MO. His
grandchildren: Jessica, Hannah, Justin, Hayden (Taylor) and Ross and Shane (Collins). Sisters:
Alice Parker, Rie Palmer, Mary Simmons, and brother Nelson Taylor.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Sarah, his wife Sue, and his sister Daisy
Parker.
A "Celebration of Life" open house is planned for Sunday July 5, 2020 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the Albany County Fairgrounds, Laramie, WY.