Jeff Taylor, known for ag, politics, dies at 61
SALINAS >> Salinas Valley agriculture leader and political candidate, Jeff Taylor, died last week at home with his family at his side.
Mr. Taylor, 61, was born May 26, 1959, into an agricultural produce family that first began with his grandfather Bruce Church in 1923. Jef f Taylor was one of four children of Edward “Ted” Taylor and Joanne Church Taylor, who raised their kids in the Salinas Valley.
“My father Ted Taylor envisioned and led the family business to become the largest package salad company in the world,” Mr. Taylor wrote on his social media page. “After his passing, I left the business and started Living Soils, the first of many new companies” including Heritage Farms, Deco Rock, Heritage Development and The Good News Herald.com.
Mr. Taylor attended area schools including graduating from Salinas High School and attending Hartnell College before moving onto Fresno State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Business and Oregon State University where he studied agriculture science and agribusiness. Mr. Taylor would work in the family business for years before starting his own ventures.
Mr. Taylor first delved into the political arena in 2006 when he announced his writein candidacy for the 17th Congressional District race against then-Representative Sam Farr. Mr. Taylor would go on to be the Republican challenger to Democrat Farr several times over the years ending in the 2012 race when Farr bested him with 46% of the vote.
In 2008, Mr. Taylor quit the GOP saying, “It’s been on my heart for months. I have been hearing this nagging spirit say, ‘ This is the way I want you to go.’”
Mr. Taylor believed the Republican par ty had turned away from the family and small- government values he admired.
By 2010, the third- generation Salinas Valley farmer and businessman, was back in the GOP and once- again mounted a run against Farr that was unsuccessful.
“W hen Jeff first declared in the first campaign against me, I thought he’d be a formidable opponent because of his family name and reputation,” said Farr.
T he former congressman said the two would first meet in person during a debate in a church in Salinas. Farr described Mr. Taylor as a man with deep emotion who would become a friend. He considered him an honorable opponent.
“He just seemed to be involved in so many things. He had a big heart and wanted to do a lot of things and help a lot of people,” said Farr. “He also cared about me as a person. I just found him to be a super nice guy.”
Farr said Mr. Taylor was a staunch conservative and believes Mr. Taylor’s religious beliefs motivated him to pursue elected office.
In 2018, Mr. Taylor would run for California governor among a field of 27 candidates.
In a published obituar y,
Mr. Taylor’s free spirit and compassionate heart for humanity were cited as reasons he was encouraged to follow in his mother’s footsteps of serving others. It said his strong faith led him to step out of the box and experience a journey of life that was filled with kindness, acting on what he believed.
Mr. Taylor is said to have been happiest outdoors. He loved working the la nd, a dvent ur ing with family and friends and worshiping God with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Jef f rey Edward Taylor is sur v ived by his mother Joanne, brothers Steve and Bruce, head of the Taylor Farms compa ny, a nd sister Carr ie , a lon g w ith his w ife Paula and child ren Morga n, Bret t and Garrett Taylor.
Morgan Taylor posted on her dad’s social media page that Jeff Taylor’s funeral will be held at 11 a. m. Saturday, outside of Sacred Heart Church in Salinas, and is open to all who want to attend.
A celebration of life w ill be held sometime this spring at the Gabilan Ranch in Salinas Valley and donations can be made to Young Life Salinas Valley, 325 Lang Street, Salinas, 93901.