May 3, 1998 - Jul. 21, 2017
Date of Service: Jul. 28, 2017
Tristan J. Taylor
FILER - Tristan J. Taylor, 19, of Filer, died Friday, July 21, 2017, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, from injuries sustained in a trucking accident.
He was born May 3, 1998, in Rupert, Idaho, to Lonny J. and Jennifer Karin (McLean) Taylor of Declo. Tristan was born a fighter. He was born a month premature. That day, the doctors came in and asked us, “Where do you want him life-flighted to, Salt Lake City, Utah, or Boise?” Amazingly enough, within two hours of this conversation, Tristan healed himself; and within two days, he was able to go home.
From the time Tristan was two months old, he learned life on the farm was anything but ordinary. Tristan spent countless hours plowing fields, swathing and stacking hay. This is also the time the trucking gene was put in his blood by his mom. Tristan spent the first five years of his life going around and around in fields. When Tristan’s parents divorced, his life changed again. Life in Filer was difficult to adapt to. Tristan met his life-long, best-friend, Zane Stephens. The duo were inseparable; if there was mischief to be had, the two of them found it together. The boys joined Boy Scouts together and they spent numerous hours on the side of a mountain earning merit badges.
When Tristan started middle school he wanted to be an athlete. He joined wrestling, football and tried his legs at track and field. Tristan enjoyed wrestling but hated making weight; he had a love-hate relationship with track; loved shot put; but, his knees hated running. Football was Tristan’s true passion; he played offense, defense and special teams. His drive and determination earned him his letter during his freshman year.
Tristan always wanted to see every task to its end. With the end of football, he decided it was time to get a full-time job. Tristan went to work at Northwest Foam, working swing shift. Juggling school and a job was a daunting task, it was one Tristan took great pride in.
He then met the love of his life, Audra May Faulkner, in the welding program at CSI.
When the option was given for Tristan to obtain his CDL, he jumped on it; one day later, he had his permit. After waiting the mandatory two weeks, Tristan went to take his driving test and “nailed it!” He was hired on full time for So-Ida Commodities. When Tristan finally got in his truck, (number 50), he had a permanent grin on his face. It didn't matter where he was sent or what load he was given, he just wanted to be behind the wheel driving. Tristan’s hard work, dedication and determination, made him a one-in-a-million man. His kind heart and caring smile will be missed immensely.
Tristan was preceded in death by his paternal grandma, Caroline Gallegos; and his uncle, Brett Adams. Tristan is survived by the love of his life, Audra May Faulkner; his best friend, Zane Stephens; his parents, Jennifer (Rob) Mawhinney of Filer, and Lonny (Amy) Taylor of Declo; siblings, Tasha Nelson, Holden Mawhinney, Tycie Taylor, Tatum Taylor, and Tyke Taylor; grandparents, Arlen (Daggie) Knight of Filer, Tony (Shirlee) McLean of Rupert, Lynn (Lisa) Taylor of Declo, Abe Gallegos of Plain City, Utah, and Alvin (Mary) Carpenter of Elba; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 28, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Declo Stake Center, 213 W. Main St., in Declo, with Bishop Dale Darrington officiating. Burial will follow in Declo Cemetery.
Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m., preceding the service at the church.
In Loving Memory to My Wonderful Son
Of all the special gifts in life,
However great or small,
To have you as my son
Was the greatest gift of all.
A special time,
A special face,
A special son,
I can’t replace.
With an aching heart
I whisper low,
I miss you son,
And love you so.
An account in Tristan’s name where memorial contributions may be made has been set up at Farmer’s National Bank.
