Herbert James Taylor III, 89, known affectionately as Herb and professionally as Jim, passed away peacefully on Sept. 4, 2024, at the Evergreen Nursing Home in Alamosa, Colo. Born on Feb. 27, 1935, in a modest railroad house between the tracks on the south side of Alamosa, Herb's journey through life was as remarkable as the man himself.
Herb's early years were spent in the town of his birth, where he graduated from Alamosa High School. His thirst for knowledge and innate intelligence led him to earn a Bachelor's Degree from Adams State, laying the foundation for a career that would take him across the globe.
As Chief Hull Inspector for container ship builds, he exclusively consulted for Chevron, APL, and Mattson Navigation. Herb's work was his passport to the world, allowing him to live in diverse places such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Thailand, Sumatra, and Hawaii.
It was during his time in Japan that he met the love of his life, Suzuko, while vacationing in Enoshima, Japan. On Feb. 3, 1971, they tied the knot in Nagasaki. Shortly after their daughter was born. Their union was blessed with a second child, a son, also born in Nagasaki, Japan.
Having children brought incredible joy and pride to Herb's life. Although at times he spent years working abroad, away from family, he always returned home to the farm to enjoy the country life and nature. He was an avid hunter and excellent fisherman, skilled at the art of making unique flies. Hunting Roebuck in Germany, fishing at Smith Reservoir, Mountain Home, or pulling the camper up to Big Meadows with the family and making stops along the Rio Grande to fly fish the streams where he found solace. When he wasn’t hunting, he loved working on the 20 acre farm growing alfalfa and raised livestock to feed his family. Living in the home he built with his father and working the land brought him not just joy but a sense of accomplishment and peace.
Herb's family was the cornerstone of his world. He is survived by his devoted wife, Suzuko Taylor of Alamosa; his children Kristy (Charles) Stella of Santa Ana, Calif., and Herbie Taylor of Alamosa; his cherished granddaughter, Carmen Anjali Greer-Taylor; his sister Barbara Brinkerhoff of Alaska; and extended family.
Herb was preceded in death by both of his parents, Fannie Elizabeth and Herbert Henry Taylor II.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service held on Oct. 5, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa, followed by the interment of ashes in Alamosa Cemetery.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online words of comfort, remembrances, and condolences for Herbert’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.
