Richard Taylor, 74

Richard Taylor was born Oct. 8, 1944 and died Aug. 7, 2019.

His wife Janie, the outdoors, Arabian horses, Montana, fast cars, his Colorado ranch, and the Denver Broncos defined the loves in Richard Taylor’s life. A man of many talents: horse whisperer, wrangler, artist, businessman, entrepreneur, raconteur, Richard was a visionary and a creative force.

Known by his friends and family for his garrulous nature, mischievousness, sentimentality, appreciation of find food, kindness and his wicked sense of humor, he would want all to know that he continued to resist and stubbornly fight his diagnosis up to his last day on earth.

Richard was born and raised in Montana, spending many of his formative years in the Judith Basin at the home of his grandparents, Henry and Mabel Nygren, original homesteaders in the state. Under the tutelage of his grandfather, he learned to hunt on the prairies and fish on the Judith River and Spring Creek, while tending horses in the local corrals.

As adolescents, Richard, his older brother Michael and cousin Larry Ashcraft, were known for their shenanigans, which more often than not backfired, including the accidental shooting of his grandfather’s toe and a runaway Nash Rambler.

Richard’s parents, Virginia and Charles Taylor, separately spent time with their sons in Great Falls, where Richard graduated from Great Falls High School and then in Ohio where his father was a businessman. While in Ohio, Richard worked on his grandmother’s horse ranch, developing an appreciation for Appaloosa and Arabian horses.

After stints in both college and the U.S. Army, Richard followed in the family business by working in hair salons In Ohio, Minnesota and Colorado. Trained by the best cutting-edge stylists in the country, Richard and his brother Michael opened up the first high-end hair salons in Denver and Boulder, to include Taylor International in Cherry Creek and “A Head of our Time.”

His competitive nature was in full display when he competed in national hair styling venues throughout the United States, garnering many awards for artistry and precision. Concurrently Richard proceeded to open one of the first disco night clubs in Denver in the early 70s.

Ultimately, Richard’s love of horses beckoned him to the ranch in Calhan, Colorado, where he bred and raised Arabian horses, while continuing to operate his company Spring Creek.

Richard is survived by his devoted wife Janie Taylor, his son D.J. Taylor, brother Michael Taylor (Janna), nephews Zak (Candice) and Chris (Lacey) and numerous cousins throughout Montana, Washington and California.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory may be made to The Arabian Horse Registry.

Private family services and burial are planned.