IN MEMORIAM LEONARD MORRIS TAYLOR 1957-1992

 

Happy Childhood
Mature Musician
Debonaire Adult
Wrestling with Life
Rescued a mile from Shore
Life Almost Crashed

This series of pictures honoring the memory of Leonard Taylor began on December 3, 2007, the day that would have been his fiftieth birthday. The memories are mostly pleasant but sometimes brutal. His natural talent for music, his brilliant intellect, and his charming personality were obvious to his peers. He was the first violinist of the Taylor String Quartet, composed of the four Taylor siblings: Leonard, violin, Lyndon, violin, Lucille, viola and Lowell, cello. Leonard was concertmaster of the Monterrey Symphony in Mexico.

During the latter decade of his life, Leonard suffered from severe mental illness. His emotions ranged from depressive to manic despite the best methods of treatment. Leonard suffered deeply and was loved immensely. His psychiatrist urged "Forget you have a son." His dad and family reply, "Never!"

On the 14th of March, 1992, Leonard ran in front of an oncoming truck in Orlando, Florida. His father identified his body in the morgue with the words, "This is my son, Leonard Morris Taylor." May he rest in peace.

 

A Grieving Father and Family
 
Depressive Phase
Manic Phase

LEONARD MORRIS TAYLOR 1957-1992